Fansided

Miami Marlins have rain delay despite retractable roof

By Will Osgood

Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; The jumbotron shows a photo of Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton after a press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; The jumbotron shows a photo of Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton after a press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Marlins hosted their Opening Day game against the Atlanta Braves in their domed stadium, yet managed to have a rain delay. 

MLB Opening Day is a time for all people involved with the game to even out the kinks. For the Miami Marlins, that group should include whoever is responsible for watching the surrounding weather and closing the retractable roof, in addition to the Marlins’ grounds crew.

The Marlins had already gone through the traditional roster introductions for both teams and the myriad of other Opening Day pre-game festivities.

Henderson Alvarez, the Marlins’ ace had already thrown a first pitch strike and given up a run to put the visiting Atlanta Braves up 1-0.

And then, the heavens opened up and started pouring.

The Marlins and stadium operations people were caught off guard. They did manage to find a couple tarps, however, to cover the pitching mound and home plate area.

The Marlins, specifically those in charge of Marlins Park, apologized for the 41-minute delay, adding what seems to be some ironic humor.

The Marlins’ ballpark has had its fun poked at it since it debuted back in 2012, in part because of its funky aesthetics, including a giant fish akin that electrically surfaces and flashes when a Marlins player hits a home run, similar to the red apple that once did the same at the old Shea Stadium in Queens, New York for the Mets.

Some of it is also due to the fact that the stadium sits on the old site of the famous Orange Bowl.

Could it be that there is now a curse on the stadium after it replaced The University of Miami’s football stadium?

Maybe not, but the point is simple: there should not be a rain delay.

Yet, there was, which is ironic given this on the Marlins Park website:

"Marlins Park is the sixth MLB Ballpark to have a retractable roof. The roof guarantees that all events start on time and that Guests have no rain delays, cancellations or sitting in the blistering sun, and humidity. The roof opens or closes in 13 to 15 minutes, based upon wind gusts."

The Marlins signed outfielder Giancarlo Stanton this offseason to the richest deal in baseball history, even more odd given that the Marlins are annually among the league’s worst franchises in home attendance.

But they expect to compete for a playoff spot in 2015, which they hope will brings fan out to the new park. They might, if they can be assured they won’t be rained on without the retractable roof.

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