MetLife Dome

MetLife Dome
Former names Seibu Lions Stadium (1979–1997)
Seibu Dome (1998–2004, 2008-2015)
Invoice Seibu Dome (2005–2006)
Goodwill Dome (2007)
Seibu Prince Dome (2015-2017)
Location 2135 Kami-Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa City, Saitama
Coordinates 35°46′6.6″N 139°25′13.80″E / 35.768500°N 139.4205000°E / 35.768500; 139.4205000Coordinates: 35°46′6.6″N 139°25′13.80″E / 35.768500°N 139.4205000°E / 35.768500; 139.4205000
Public transit Seibu Railway:
Sayama Line and Yamaguchi Line at Seibu-Kyūjō-mae
Owner Seibu Railway Company, Ltd
Operator Seibu Recreation
Capacity 35,655 (2007)
33,921 (2008)
Field size Left Field: 100m (328.1ft)
Center Field: 122m (400.3ft)
Right Field: 100m (328.1ft)
Outfield Fence Height: 3.2m (10.5 ft) - 4.37m (14.3ft)
Surface Artificial
Construction
Broke ground July 1, 1978
Built March 31, 1979
Opened April 14, 1979
Renovated 2007–2008
Expanded July 7, 1997 – March 18, 1999 (roof construction)
Architect Yoshiro Ikehara (Stadium)
Kajima Construction Corporation, Ltd. (roof construction)
General contractor Seibu Constructions (Stadium)
Kajima Construction Corporation, Ltd. (roof construction)
Tenants
Saitama Seibu Lions (1979–present)

MetLife Dome (メットライフドーム, Mettoraifu Dōmu) is a Japanese stadium located in Tokorozawa, Saitama.[1] It is home to the Saitama Seibu Lions, a professional baseball team.

The stadium has a roof over the field and the stands, like other indoor ballparks. However, it lacks a wall behind the stands so that natural air comes into the field. This makes it possible for home runs to leave the stadium, something not possible in typical domed stadiums.

The stadium was built in 1979 without the roof and named Seibu Lions Stadium (西武ライオンズ球場, Seibu Raionzu Kyūjō) as the new home field of the Lions that moved from Fukuoka to Tokorozawa that year. The installation of the roof took place in two phases: the first phase after the 1997 season, and the second phase after the 1998 seasons. At the beginning of the 1998 season, the stadium was renamed Seibu Dome although the domed roof had not completed yet.

On March 1, 2005, the stadium was named Invoice Seibu Dome (インボイスSEIBUドーム, Inboisu Seibu Dōmu) as Invoice Inc. bought the naming rights of the stadium for the next two seasons. Upon expiration of the previous contract, on January 1, 2007,[2] the name was changed again to Goodwill Dome (グッドウィルドーム, Guddowiru Dōmu) to reflect the sponsorship of Goodwill Group, Inc. The naming rights contract with Goodwill was intended to remain in effect for five years.

Although Seibu Dome was still the official name of the stadium, the stadium and media used the sponsored name almost exclusively during this period.[3] However, at the end of 2007, as both the stadium and minor team naming right of Goodwill were seized due to Goodwill's illegal business movements, the Dome's name was restored to Seibu Dome in 2008.

The stadium is located in front of Seibukyūjō-mae Station, the terminal station of the Seibu Sayama Line railway (a branch of the Seibu Ikebukuro Line connecting Tokorozawa with Tokyo) and the Seibu Yamaguchi Line people mover. Both lines are operated by Seibu Railway, the owner of the stadium and the Lions.

Queen performed at the arena for their Hot Space Tour in 1982. New Japan Pro Wrestling held the finals of the 2014 G1 Climax on August 10, 2014, at the arena.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Seibu Railway Tourist Guide Archived 2007-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. web page Information of a Seibu group
  2. ↑ Goodwill Press release December 5, 2006 (Archived) (in Japanese)
  3. ↑ goodwill history Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "【電撃決定!!】なんと今年の『G1 Climax』決勝は、"西武ドーム"に初進出!! 新日本プロレスが2014年上半期の予定をイッキに発表!!". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
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