Major League Baseball

Marlins' Fanfest draws thousands to new ballpark

Published Mar. 3, 2012 9:58 p.m. ET

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Miami Marlins president David Samson walked among the fans on the concourse at the team's new ballpark, stopping every few steps to pose for a photo or accept a grateful handshake.

''The ballpark is great,'' one man told him. ''But you'd better not stink.''

With the first spring training game not until Monday, the Marlins remain undefeated, and the mood was as sunny as the weather Saturday at the team's annual Fanfest. Thousands turned out to take a peek at ballpark and join the growing bandwagon for a franchise transformed by a recent spending binge.

Samson, who helped make the ballpark a reality after nearly a decade of lobbying, wore a satisfied smile as he watched a swirl of activity.

''It's emotional,'' he said. ''This is why we did it. It's why we sat through all those commission meetings.''

Among those most able to appreciate the occasion was Jeff Conine, who played in the Florida Marlins' first game and helped them win two World Series titles. He remains with the organization as an executive.

''What a fantastic day for the Florida Marlins, er, Miami Marlins,'' Conine told fans during a question-and-answer session. ''This dream started back in 1993 when I first started with this team. There was talk then about a new stadium, and it didn't happen until now. You fans are in for quite a treat. We're going to put an amazing product on the field and watch some playoff baseball in October.''

Anticipation is the highest since the Marlins' first season, in part because of newcomers Ozzie Guillen, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell and Carlos Zambrano.

''It's a very exciting moment for everybody in Miami, and for the players,'' manager Guillen told fans. ''Hopefully with the talent we have on the field, we'll win the trophy in 2012. Hopefully we won't let anybody down.''

The retractable roof was open but the air-conditioning was on, ensuring fan comfort on an 85-degree day. Salsa played in the plaza behind home plate, and beyond the outfield, fans gawked at the downtown skyline or the colorful subtropical sculpture that will go into motion when the Marlins hit a homer.

''This place was built for people who love baseball, and people who don't,'' Samson said. ''I've met people already who are not baseball fans. They're here to enjoy the architecture and the color and the event feeling of Miami.''

There were plenty of fans, too - which often hasn't been the case at Marlins' games.

A Miami-style traffic jam clogged the concourse where players sat at autograph tables, and fans stood in line for an hour or more for a single signature. The souvenir store bustled, with four jerseys on display - those of Zambrano, Buehrle, Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo (aka Mike) Stanton. No beer was sold, because the team is still waiting for its license to sell alcohol, but the concession stands did offer Cuban sandwiches ($9) and key lime chicken tacos ($12).

The Marlins have sold 15,000 season tickets, the most since Jeffrey Loria bought the team in 2002. Ballpark capacity is 37,000, half the size of the Miami Dolphins' stadium, where the Marlins played their first 19 seasons.

Ticket sales remain brisk, and the Marlins expect capacity crowds nearly every night this season, Samson said.

''People are adjusting faster than I thought to the supply and demand issue,'' he said. ''We built this ballpark for 37,000 on purpose. We've been living with 77,000, and our supply-demand curve was screwed up. Fans realize they have to buy tickets now because they can't just walk up and get the best seat in the house for a Tuesday night Phillies game anymore. Those seats don't exist, and people are beginning to get it. They're flooding the system, and that's good news.''

Two high schools will play the first game in the ballpark Monday, and the Marlins will play college teams Tuesday and Wednesday. The first regular-season game is still a month away, and finishing touches remain to be applied, including the final act when moving into any home: the hanging of artwork.

Fans seemed not to notice, especially those glad-handing the team president on the concourse.

''Thank you so much, Samson,'' said one young man donned in a worn Florida Marlins T-shirt. ''This place is awesome.''

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