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Minute Maid Park
Home of the Houston Astros
Located in downtown Houston, Minute Maid Park is home to the Houston Astros Major League Baseball team. Under the architectural design of HOK Sports Facilities Group, the idea for a new ballpark originated in 1996 with the formation of 14 Houston companies who came together to form the Houston Sports Facility Partnership. The agreement provided for $35 million loan that would be payable beginning after 10 years of ballpark operation. The total project cost, which was approved by the public in 1996, was valued at $250 million.
In 2002, the Houston Astros, along with The Minute Maid Company, announced their plan to create a long-term community partnership and marketing program. Originally known as Enron Field and Astros Field, Minute Maid Park was officially renamed in 2002 with the agreement, which included the naming rights for the new stadium.
Featuring a retractable roof, 419 Tifway Bermuda grass playing surface, seats close to the action and a capacity of over 40,000 spectators, Minute Maid Park is popular among Texans and many others. After less than a year of operation, Minute Maid Park was the recipient of three major awards, including the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 2000 Good Brick Award, the Most Outstanding Civil Engineering Project and the National Honor Award for Engineering Excellence.
Fans who wish to become a part of Minute Maid Park, and Houston Astros, history may participate in the Commemorative Brick Program for $100.00. Interested parties can have their name set in stone at the ballpark and forever be a part of the game. Bricks can be customized with 1-3 lines of writing and 18 characters per line. Bricks will remain the property of Minute Maid Park and will be used for the park's structure.
Prior to the opening pitch, fans are welcome to seek autographs from players and coaches. From the time that the gates open, until 45 minutes before the game begins, spectators may gather at the Field Box rails from Section 111 extending to the left field foul pole and Section 127 to the right foul pole. For fans who would like to have an autograph, but cannot attend a game, fan mail is an alternate option. Letters may be directed, with indication of the players name, to: 501 Crawford, P.O. Box 288, Houston, TX 77001. Other fan memorabilia possibilities are available at Minute Maid Park, which permit spectators to keep foul and/or homerun balls, which are hit into the seating areas, as a souvenir.
Among the fanfare at Minute Maid Park is Conoco Home Run Alley, which honors eight of the greatest hitters in the history of the Houston Astros. It's here that 40 years of memories can be revisited. Homerun Porch, The Train, The World's Largest Sliding Glass Door and Tal's Hill are among the other historic sites at Minute Maid Park. Both public and private tours are offered to fans at Minute Maid Park. Schedules permitting, tours will include visits to Union Station, the dugout, luxury suites, broadcasting booth and press boxes.
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