The Marlins, with attendance ranking last in the NL this season, "have decided to close the upper bowl at Marlins Park for at least some weeknight games,” according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. The upper bowl, which holds about 10,000 of the stadium's 37,442 seats, “will be closed for six dates during the team’s nine-game homestand that begins next Tuesday.” But it will “remain open" for the May 17-19 games against the D’Backs. Marlins Senior VP/Communications & Broadcasting P.J. Loyello said that the team “has not decided whether to close the upper bowl for all Monday-through-Thursday home games, and decisions will be made before each homestand.” Jackson notes fewer than 500 fans “own season tickets in the upper bowl, and those fans are being moved -- with no additional charge -- to seats in the lower bowl for all Monday-through-Thursday games.” Upper bowl tickets to weeknight games “will continue be sold on Marlins.com," and buyers “will be moved to the lower bowl if the Marlins decide to close the upper bowl on those particular nights.” The Marlins “began this approach during their homestand that was completed last week.” The team did not close the upper deck “for any home games last season," their first in the new stadium (MIAMI HERALD, 5/8).
THIS SPACE FOR LEASE: In Miami, Charles Rabin reports when Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria “cut payroll costs by dismantling the ballclub at the end of last season, it wiped out any immediate hope the city of Miami had of luring retailers to the ballpark.” Two national restaurant chains that had “signed letters of intent to open in the parking garages surrounding the facility backed out of their deals, expressing reservations to the city about dwindling crowds and foot traffic.” Not a single business currently is “operating in the 8,500 square feet of retail space available in three of the four garages fronting the ballpark” (MIAMI HERALD, 5/8).
