10 Never Before Seen Facts on Coors Field

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10 Never Before Seen Facts on Coors Field

Coors Field is one of the league’s recommended west coast MLB stadiums every baseball fan has on their bucket list. In fact, the Rockies ballpark opened in 1995 and last hosted the All-Star Game in 2021. Any Colorado fan that bleeds Rockies purple will know every information possible, from the team playing in the 2007 World Series to Ubaldo Jiménez throwing a no-hitter in 2010. However, there are new Coors Field facts that many baseball supporters never knew or never heard of in their lives. For details on what facts baseball fans rarely knew about, please refer to 10 Never Before Seen Facts on Coors Field below!

10: Coors Field was the 1st MLB Stadium to Install Heated Grass

The Rockies ballpark is one of the major Denver attractions that stands 365 days a year. In fact, Coors Field lasts through thunderstorms in the summer and snow blizzards in the winter. Now the big question is: how does the stadium protect the grass from the white snow? Believe it or not, Coors Field became the first MLB stadium to install heated grass. Underneath the playing field is a heating system that starts to melt snow instantly during the cold months

Interestingly, snow can arrive in Denver even if the baseball season is underway. To clarify, Coors Field has a history of playing games during the snow. In April 2013, the Rockies contest vs. the Mets was impacted by snowy conditions. Groundskeeping crew, including then-Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson, were on hand to shovel out the snow. In May 2015, the Rockies game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers was interfered by lots of snow on the field. Fortunately, the field was cleared enough for that series to proceed. 

9: A Rockies Game was Postponed Due to a Water Main Break

Normally, when a baseball game is postponed, it results from inclement weather like heavy rain and thunderstorms. In addition, teams would rather postpone the game rather than take the risk of playing through a series of bad storms. But did you know that a Rockies game was postponed because of a water main break? Yes, that rare situation happened in August 2014 vs. the Cincinnati Reds. 

With nearly one hour before the planned first pitch, a water main breakage was spotted close to Coors. This scene turned out to be a serious problem since a breakage meant no running water at the ballpark. Fans wouldn’t be able to use the restrooms or even use the water fountains. So the Rockies had no choice but to postpone the game. Eventually, the game was made up the next day as part of a day-night doubleheader. Also, the water main breakage was fixed in time for the twin-bill. 

8: There’s Actually a Jail Cell at Coors Field! No, Really!

Spectators going to ball games must follow the stadium’s rules for fan behavior. Some of those rules are practicing good language and waiting in the concourse during play. But sometimes, fans can have too much fun at the ballpark, like drinking boozy beverages and hurling verbal insults at another team. Perhaps the worst case scenario is that physical altercations can become a distraction for those trying to enjoy a baseball game. So how does Coors Field deal with unruly fans?

For anyone who didn’t follow the rules, he or she would be sent to the stadium’s own jail. Well, the Rockies wouldn’t describe the area as a jail cell, but rather as a security holding room. If fans drink too much or throw a fit with someone else, they would be escorted by security to the holding rooms. They would remain in those areas until police authorities arrived to take them into custody. The main reason for those holding rooms is to teach unruly fans what it’s like to be in jail and what’s about to come at the Police Hall. 

7: Construction Workers Found Dinosaur Fossils at the Rockies Ballpark

The construction stories of MLB stadiums are quite exciting to read or learn about. For instance, a Red Sox fan buried a David Ortiz jersey in cement during the building of New Yankee Stadium. Another example is that Wrigley Field was built on land that was occupied by a church and priest school. But in this case, Coors Field sits on a site filled with dinosaur fossils. That’s right, real-life dinosaur fossils. 

During the construction period for Coors Field, workers discovered artifacts of dinosaur bones and teeth. Perhaps the most likely type of the extinct species was the Triceratops, the one with two horns on its head. Speaking of triceratops, the fossil discovery led to the inspiration for the Rockies making a mascot: Dinger the Dinosaur. Most importantly, the Mile High City is one of the major cities in America to find real dinosaur bones and fossils. 

6: Coors Field Did Not Have its 1st Live Concert Until 2015

It is not uncommon that live show concerts are taking place at baseball stadiums. Interestingly, there are teams that previously hosted live music shows. Those teams were the following: Pirates, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Dodgers, Rangers, Cardinals, Brewers, and many more. Concerts can vary with either a post-game event or just a stand alone performance during the off-season. But did you know that Coors Field didn’t host its first concert until 2015? And that doesn’t count singing at National Anthems or having themed nights. 

In 2015, Country Music Star Zac Brown Band became the first major act to perform at Denver’s ballpark. Since then, Coors Field has been the home for many concerts by the following: Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Def Leppard, Journey, and Eagles. Interestingly, Zac Brown Band has performed more shows at the baseball stadium: 2015 and 2017. By the way, Coors Field doesn’t host non-baseball events as often. In 2016, the Colorado venue hosted the NHL Stadium Series between the Avalanche and Red Wings. 

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5: Rockies Ballpark was the 1st New National League Venue to Open Since Dodger Stadium

A lot of newer ballparks opened during the 1980s and 1990s. Camden Yards in Baltimore opened in 1992, while Tropicana Field made its debut in 1998. Guaranteed Rate Field held its first games in 1991, while Progressive Field started hosting public events in 1994. But believe it or not, there weren’t many National League parks that opened during that time. That was, until 1995, when Coors Field became the first baseball-oriented National League venue to open since Dodger Stadium in 1962. 

Now that doesn’t count the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos. When the Marlins debuted in 1993, they opened at the then-Joe Robbie Stadium. In addition, Florida had to share the venue with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Eventually, the Marlins moved to their retractable roof stadium in 2012. Meanwhile, the Expos began playing at the Olympic Stadium in the late 1970s. The stadium had just hosted opening/closing ceremonies for the 1976 Montreal Games. Olympic Stadium was also the home for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. 

4: A Baseball Game at Coors Field was Delayed Due to a Swarm of Bees

Sometimes, unwanted guests and uncontrollable circumstances can invade a baseball game. Back in 2008, part of the outfield seating section at Dodger Stadium had to be evacuated due to swarms of bees. A decade later, a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium was delayed due to a water pipe leakage in the right field bullpen and nearby warning track. But did you know that a Rockies game at Coors Field had a bee-delay?

In May 2012, Colorado was taking on their NL Central Division rival Arizona Diamondbacks. Then, during the 5th inning, play went to a sudden stop when a swarm of bees were found near the 1st Base Photographer section. When the game eventually resumed, a beekeeper entered the photography area and sucked out all the bees in a vacuum. However, the bees were not the only problem the Rockies dealt with as they lost to Arizona 9-7

3: Spectators Can Get a Piece of Mile High Stadium at Rockies Ballpark

During the first two seasons, the Colorado Rockies played their home contests at the now-defunct Mile High Stadium. Notably, it served as the home for the NFL’s Denver Broncos for four decades. Perhaps the most popular feature at the old venue was the rockpile end zone seating section. Even though the Rockies’ time at Mile High Stadium was short-lived, they did find something to remember the former sports venue by. 

When the Rockies relocated to Coors Field in 1995, fans can find a piece of Mile High Stadium to this day. At centerfield, there’s a rockpile seating section similar to the one from the defunct Broncos stadium. Fans can not only see the baseball game from the outfield, but also get views of Downtown Denver. Beneath the rockpile is the batter’s eye filled with trees and a fountain that shoots up water for every Colorado home run. 

2: A Fan was Killed While Trying to Slide Down Staircase at Coors Field

Sadly, accidents can happen under any circumstances at various baseball stadiums. In the past, there has been a history of fans getting injured. Also, those accidents can range from being simple to something more fatal. In the late 1980s, a fan died at Kauffman Stadium after falling off from the top level. In 1994, over 40 spectators were injured when an escalator at Camden Yards broke down. Unfortunately, for Coors Field, the Rockies ballpark is on the list of fatal fan injuries at big league stadiums. 

In May 2011, 27-year-old fan Robert Seamans was killed trying to slide down a staircase during a Rockies game. While making the attempt, Seamans lost his balance and smacked his head on the concrete floor after falling over six meters from the staircase. Later, an autopsy revealed that Seamans was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. In addition, the Rockies issued a statement that they were devastated by the fan’s death. 

1: What is that Row of Purple Seats in the Outfield Seats at Rockies Ballpark For? 

There are lots of things to see and take pictures of at Coors Field. First, there’s a clock tower that is incorporated into the ballpark’s home plate entrance. Second, there’s a water fountain display located at center field that shoots out water for every home run and victory. Finally, there’s a Rocky Mountain-shaped video board in left field. But many people won’t notice a row of purple seats in right field.

What are those purple seats in the outfield for? The row of purple seats, located at the top level of the right field section, means they are sitting approximately one mile above sea level. They don’t call Denver the “Mile High City” for nothing. Coors Field is the only ballpark in the big leagues to play above sea level. In addition, the Rockies stadium is the only MLB city to play in the Mountain Time Zone. 


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