Adam McCormick, Toronto, CN -- Feb 07, 2008 21:41 PM
10 visit(s). My rating: 7
The Rogers Centre (Skydome) was state of the art when it first opened in 1989 as the replacement for Exhibition Stadium. The Skydome had only a handful of seasons under its belt when a flood of new "old-style" stadiums were being built and the Dome seemed quickly to be on the outside of a trend of classic baseball architecture. A new ownership of the team and building has meant a new commitment to updating and retro-fitting the Rogers Centre to make it feel more inviting. More open space and less cold concrete. Things have already improved. The turf was upgraded from Astroturf to the Fieldturf which is closer in look and feel to actual grass. A real grass playing surface has been deemed not only impractical but impossible to maintain. The stadium has been fitting with several new video screens as well as a cutting edge replacement for the aging giant Jumbotron display above the centerfield wall. I’ve come to love the Rogers Centre for what it is. It’s meant to be a multi-purpose entertainment centre and less of a dedicated baseball stadium. It's great to enjoy baseball in Toronto even if it’s not the classic stadiums that other cities are embracing.

Dave Zanko, New Milford, NJ -- Jul 27, 2009 01:44 AM
2 visit(s). My rating: 7
I first visited this building many years ago, when it was fairly new and very crowded. I couldn't really give much of an impression until visiting again last year. While in T.O. On vacaction I got to catch a weekend matinee against the Yanks, which meant a large crowd of NYY fans making the trip. A.J. Burnett dominated that day (no wonder the Yanks signed him in the off season). As for the building itself, the main thing that sticks in my mind is it is more like a giant hockey arena than a ballpark. Which is strangely appropriate for such a hockey obsessed town. Overall, it may not be a great ballpark by classic standards, but it doesn't have a poor environment at all.

Tyler Nicholson, London, CN -- Feb 19, 2011 23:17 PM
5 visit(s). My rating: 7
"Huge" is the first word that occurs to anyone entering: This building is gigantic, concrete, and forbidding. The gigantic 16:9 jumbotron is so large as to be too distracting. When half full, the place looks 3/4 empty. When full, like during the last WBC Canada-USA game, the place is electric and loud. Recent renovations have vastly improved Rogers Centre, especially in the 100 level, which features a modern style uninhibited view of the field. Sight lines in the lower section are very good, if expensive. Concessions are excellent, there's nothing better than enjoying North America's pastime while drinking a Keith's. Fans are polite but knowledgeable. The endless references to the early-90s can become irritating. 500 level is not as bad as some say, providing an excellent view along the 1st and third sides, although it does get very high, and the concessions are very simple. It's not the asymmetrical, grass fielded, retro ball park that seems to be necessary these days, as oppressive summer heat can make one thankful for the dome. but as a previous reviewer noted, it fits baseball in Toronto.

Freddy V, Hamilton, CN -- Aug 22, 2013 12:23 PM
3 visit(s). My rating: 9
I went once in highschool with our class in the early 1990's, and we sat in the 200 level. The second time I went, was for a Billy Graham crusade, and sat in the 200 level again. The most recent time, was for this year - and I sat in the 114 section and for the first time realized that the 100 level concourse is at ground level, and the playing field is below ground level! The dome was closed every time I went, I'd love to go with the dome open.

Ron J, Toronto, CN -- Feb 08, 2015 17:49 PM
10 visit(s). My rating: 7
Went to the second game here ever, 1989, and was blown away by the size and "big league" atmosphere (which you definitely didn't get at Exhibition Stadium). Since 1994 it hasn't been the same but a good team would help. Unfortunately, the Skydome (which long time fans still call it) is more of a "dome that sometimes opens", not an open air park with a roof. Much nicer with the lid open. Having no grass has really made this place seem dated, the hope is to have some installed in a few years. Corridors are wide, concessions expensive but the new Jays store is massive and usually packed (who's watching the game anymore?) Upper deck view can be distant, especially a section under the lights in RF which goes very high. Lower bowl is decent and the Jumbotron is prominent in CF. I have no problem with references to the 90s, that's when World Series were won, so the new hipster crowd needs to deal with that. It's a younger crowd now, once it was more of a family atmosphere. For the purist it's not the greatest baseball experience, but for long time fans here there are a lot of good memories. Just a hint of a meaningful game in September and the place will rock once again.