THE BALLPARK - Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, was only in its third season of service when we visited in August of 2022. Globe Life Field replaced the Ballpark at Arlington, which hosted the Rangers from 1994-2019. Why would you replace a ballpark that had a classic design and many rave reviews after only 25 years? Well, I think I know the answer...
 |
| Center field entrance to Globe Life Field |
It's HOT in Texas, y'all. As we walked up to the ballpark, the temperature was a blistering 105 degrees. Inside, with the retractable roof closed, it was a comfortable 72 degrees. In 2021, the Rangers played 70 of their 81 regular season home games with the roof closed, and I get it. In the Texas heat, air conditioning is a necessity, not a convenience.
 |
The Ballpark at Arlington
|
Still, part of me wished I had made a trip to Dallas before 2020 to take in a game at the beautiful ballpark that still sits across the street from Globe Life Field. It's now known as Choctaw Stadium, and it's been retrofitted to be the home of an MLS soccer team and an XFL football team.
 |
| Field View |
But I quickly forgot about the ballpark across the street when I stepped inside Globe Life Field. Sure, baseball is best played outdoors on real grass, but being in a new ballpark is like sitting in a brand new car... It smells good and gets your heart racing!
 |
From the concourse, you can see the
PA announcer's view of the field. |
Globe Life Field seats around 40,500 fans. Plentiful windows and transparent roof panels let in lots of light, which helps you forget that you're sitting under a 5.5 acre roof. The stands are close to the field, giving fans nice views of the action. The main concourse is largely open, so you can see the field as you make your way to your seat or zip out to get a hotdog.
 |
| My Globe Life Field companions |
If there's a shortcoming at Globe Life Field, it's a lack of local flavor, and I'm not talking about food at the concessions. The atmosphere is kinda generic, when it should scream, "I'm in Texas!" You could plop this ballpark down in almost any city, and it wouldn't feel too out of place. The Rangers could do more to make this house a home ... or a ranch.
 |
| Retired numbers are honored in the concourse |
THE GAME - We saw the Oakland A's handily beat the Rangers, 7-2. The A's were powered by 2 home runs from catcher Sean Murphy and a 2-run dinger from rookie Shea Langeliers - his first major league home run. On the Rangers' side of the ledger, shortstop Corey Seager singled in the first inning and was driven home by an Adolis Garcia double. The Rangers didn't score again until the ninth inning, when former Phillie Brad Miller (aka "Bamboo Brad") drove in a run with a double.
Oh, and heavy rain swept through the area during the game, which wasn't interrupted thanks to the closed roof. Maybe indoor baseball isn't such a bad thing after all.
OVERALL SCORE - ⚾⚾
