Mariners ballparks | seattle mariners

The KINGDOME, officially the King County Domed Stadium, was the home of Mariners Baseball for 22 ½ seasons, from 1977 through June 1999. Built on the site where CenturyLink Field is now

located, the Kingdome was the first domed stadium in the American League, and from 1978-1983 served as the home of four pro franchises: the Mariners (MLB), Seahawks (NFL), Sonics (NBA) and

Sounders (NASL). The building was owned and operated by King County. The dome itself was the largest thin shell concrete roof in the world, spanning over 660 feet in diameter and rising 250

feet above the playing surface. Construction was completed March 27, 1976, at a cost of $67 million. For baseball, the Kingdome was considered a hitter's park. The dimensions were

short, the ball carried well in the controlled indoor climate (68-72 degrees), and the hard Astroturf field benefited hitters as well. The first regular season game in Mariners history was

played on April 6, 1977, when the Mariners lost to the California Angels, 7-0. Seating capacity for baseball at Kingdome varied over the years, but was always close to 59,000. The 1979 MLB

All-Star Game was played in the Dome, when first baseman Bruce Bochte singled for the first hit and RBI by a Mariner in the Midsummer Classic. The National League won the game, 7-6. Many

memorable moments and games in team history took place in the Kingdome, including the legendary 1995 season when the Mariners won their first American League Western Division championship in

a tiebreaker game, then beat the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. The Mariners success that season led to the eventual end of the Kingdome's lifespan, with the

first stages of development of a new ballpark for baseball and a new football stadium. The final MLB game in the Kingdome was played June 27, 1999, when the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers,

5-2. Three weeks later, the first game at Safeco Field was played. The Kingdome was imploded on March 26, 2000…24 years after it opened. FACTS AND FIGURES FIRST SPORTS EVENT: April 9, 1976 -

Soccer match between the Seattle Sounders vs. New York Cosmos (with Pele) PLAYING SURFACE: Astro Turf - Original surface was replaced twice (midseason 1983 and again prior to the 1991

season) OUTFIELD DIMENSIONS: In 1991, home plate was moved 10 feet toward the first base dugout and the wall was moved back to make the dimensions fairer. NOTES OF INTEREST: * There were 14

speakers hanging from the ceiling of the Kingdome, and they were in play. In addition, there was a basketball scoreboard raised high above first base when in a baseball configuration.

Special ground rules addressed the speakers in both fair and foul territory. The speakers were hit by batted balls several times. In addition, at least three times batted balls stuck in

speakers that were in foul territory (ruled strikes). * The outfield wall from right center field to the right field foul line was raised from 11 ½ feet to 23 ½ feet high in 1982. In 1995,

the wall from the left field corner to right center was lowered to 8 ½ feet. * An earthquake interrupted the Mariners game in the Dome against the Indians in July 1996. The building was just

fine, and the game was suspended and completed prior to the game the next day.