Rogers Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Rogers Centre (opened in 1989) in Canada offers a unique and amazing experience to any baseball fan. Being the first retractable roofed stadium in the MLB, it is open all year long to also host the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts and also hosts one Buffalo Bills game each year since 2008. Having an innovative retractable roof, the cost to build the stadium was about $913 million dollars.

The idea of opening Rogers Centre was supported by Canadians who protested at Toronto City Hall. They were heard chanting "We want a Dome" to fit Toronto's unpredictable weather. Rogers Centre is a different experience for fans, as it the most modern ballpark compared to most other stadiums that feel more historical. At the start of each game, they sing both the Canadian and American National Anthem, as Toronto is only a short drive from the American border, coupled by the fact that Toronto is the only team North of the border. This can cause many of the visiting teams fans to be American. But just remember when coming to a Blue Jays game to remember your passport!

One unique feature is that when the roof is opened, you have a clear view of the iconic CN Tower hanging over you. The CN Tower can be seen from almost any spot in the building. Another great feature is that there is a luxurious 348-room Marriott hotel in Center Field. This means you can watch your games straight from the comfort of your hotel room. But plan ahead, these rooms are booked months in advance and are very pricey. You can still get a great glimpse of the game from the restaurant on the bottom floor. Another great feature is the large scoreboard called "JaysVison." Built by Daktronics, it is 33 feet in height, and 110 feet in length.

Most people think that Canadian Baseball fans are few in number and not very enthusiastic. Those people are dead wrong, and Blue Jays fans have proved that Canadians don't only watch hockey. Maybe it's just the echoes reflecting off the dome, but this place may be the loudest place in baseball- or maybe even sports. Baseball fans swarm into Rogers Centre when it opens before each game. Many people thought that baseball would not survive in Canada, as the Montreal Expos were moved to Washington in 2004 due to low attendance to games. This can be attributed to the fact that there is a barrier in both culture, and language in Montreal, so baseball was doomed from the start in Quebec. Meanwhile Toronto shares the same characteristics as many U.S. cities, and there is no language and culture barrier over the border.

Being a retractable roof, the field is composed of Artificial Turf. To limit maintenance switching between football and baseball, the architects of the stadium chose that instead of a full base path, there would be dirt "patches" surrounding each base. Rogers Centre is now currently the only stadium to not ave a full base bath. The artificial turf is made of rubber, meaning the ball bounces higher when hit. This gives a home field advantage to the Blue Jays, who are used to the height of the bounce, while the opposing team is not.

Rogers Centre offers the most unique experience baseball has to offer, and any baseball fan should stop here. It will give a refreshing change to the usual outdoor experience housed in most baseball stadiums. Plus many people believe the Blue Jays will be contenders in 2012, so there should be some exciting action from their young stars like J.P. Arencibia, and their slugger Jose Bautista.

Next Weeks Edition of Ballpark Guide: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA