Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Stadium Watch Blog
Curtis Gilbert

Why Saints fans won’t see the downtown skyline

A sketch from the Greater Lowertown Master Plan shows the approximate easterly orientation of the ballpark.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A sharp-eyed Stadium Watch reader spotted something he didn't like in the latest architectural concept drawings of the new Saints ballpark.

I've noticed in renderings of the stadium's orientation, the beautiful downtown St. Paul skyline is ignored. Sitting in the stands behind home plate will give fans a nice view of the Pigs Eye Sewage Treatment plant and other industrial sites along the rail lines south of the stadium.

Has anyone questioned this orientation issue with the Saints, the City of St. Paul or the site developers?

Sincerely,

Marvin Welinski

Resident of Plymouth, MN

 

The ballpark site sits on the edge of downtown St. Paul, and the stands face east, away from the tall buildings.

But while re-orienting the field might be good for fans, it would cause major problems for the players -- in particular those at bat, ballpark architect Logan Gerken explained.

Because baseball games are held in the afternoon and evening, the sun will always be in the west, and the goal is to keep it from shining right in the batter's eyes.

"The players on the field have their hats. They can wear sunglasses. They can shield their eyes," Gerken said. "Whereas the batter, they're really at the mercy of staring at the pitcher."

ballpark watercolor aerial
A sketch from the Greater Lowertown Master Plan shows the approximate easterly orientation of the ballpark.

 

That's why Major League Baseball's official rules say it's "desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East-Northeast."

Even in the big leagues, plenty of teams ignore that dictum, but none makes sluggers stare directly into the setting sun, no matter the vista.