At this writing, the Marlins have played six home games, all of them with the roof closed, in a month when fans used to have a good chance of watching baseball in the fresh air. You may think, as I once did, that the roof is used to protect from rain, but it’s also, as the response to my complaint to the Marlins organization made clear, to protect from humidity and high winds, all of which are fairly common in South Florida (and don’t seem to bother the University of Miami baseball team). It makes you wonder why they spent money on a retractable roof when they could have built at a much lower cost what they now for all intents and purposes have: an indoor stadium.
The response went on to say that the number one priority is “fan safety and comfort.” I find this doubtful. I have heard that the players prefer the roof closed; pampered millionaires that they are, they don’t wish to sweat excessively (not that they would in April) and don’t like strong winds keeping their would-be home run balls in the park (not that they’re hitting a lot with the roof closed).
But humans generally enjoy being outside, especially in the evening after a day of work. It is why most restaurants in Miami have outdoor seating. Dining is a traditionally indoor activity and yet many people choose to do it outside – even in summer, when the weather is sticky. Baseball, by contrast, is an outdoor game that, strangely, the Marlins have turned into an indoor sport. It is hard for me to believe that this is what the majority of fans desire.
