The Kingdome Ground Broken: November 2, 1972 Completion Date: March 27, 1976 Cost: $67 million First Sports Event: April 9, 1976 Seattle Sounders vs. New York Cosmos soccer game First Baseball Game: April 2, 1977, Seattle University vs. Western Washington University Height of Dome: 250 ft. to apex; 133 ft., 6 in. to top ring Diameter of dome: 660 ft. Ground Coverage: 407,000 sq. ft. (9.1 acres) Height of Speakers: 132 ft. Temperature: 68-72 degrees Playing Surface: Astro Turf-8 (Balsam), 120,000 sq. ft. *Original surface installed in 1976; replaced twice
during All-Star break in 1983 & prior to start of 1991 season. Baseball Seating Capacity: 59,084 Playing Field Distances: LF Line 331 ft.; LC Alley 389 ft.; CF 405 ft.; RC Alley 380 ft.; RF Line 312 ft. Height of Wall: LF and CF 8 ft; RF 23 ft. LF & CF Wall: In 1994, the height was reduced from 11 1/2 to 8 1/2 ft. RF Wall: In 1982, height was doubled from 11 1/2 ft. to 23 ft., equaling the second-highest wall in the Majors (Green Monster 37 ft. & HHH Dome 23 ft.)
Safeco Field Ground Broken: March 8, 1997 Grass Installed: May 24, 1999 Inaugural Game: July 15, 1999 Opponent: San Diego Padres Ceremonial first pitch: Dave Niehaus - Mariners Broadcaster First Pitch: Jamie Moyer, 7:15pm., called strike First Safeco Home Run: Russ Davis (July 17, 1999) First Safeco Grand Slam: Raul Ibanez (July 17, 1999) Ballpark Square Footage: 1,172,127 Gross Square Ft. Playing Surface: Grass Seating Capacity: 47, 116
Ballparks: 1977 - Present
