Hardcore Texan
Magnet Man
So, just curious, I have heard how it can get pretty hot in the North End Zone when the roof is open. How were the conditions in the stadium today?
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How was the temp in the stadium today?
- Thread starter Hardcore Texan
- Start date
GlassHalfFull
Hall of Fame
Hot, we got the shade mid way thru the 3rd quarter, it made a huge difference.
rickyb
Scarlet is hot.
I was in the shade the whole time, and it was pretty dang great, although I can easily understand how being in the Bull Pen would raise the temp a bit. The Pen seemed the only part of the stadium baking in sunshine.
Maybe the Texans could consider December home games starting at 3pm? (ie, December = best odds for open roof; 3pm = shade for all)
SheTexan
Hall of Fame
It was HOT in the NEZ! I met a couple families in the Bullpen Pub who could not sit there because the seats were to hot for their kids to sit in. The brightness and glare was terrible. With the sun blasting down through the roof, it was difficult to see. IMO anyway. I spent the first half standing at the rail. The shade hits my area about 2-3 min after the half. I'm just to old and fat to tolerate that kind of heat. Got really sick last year trying to be tough and stick it out. Decided it just was not worth it this time.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
Hardcore Texan
Magnet Man
IIRC, there were only 2 games this year with the roof open....is that right?
Does anyone know when Sect. 115 gets shade?
It seems like if the roof doesn't get open until late Nov or in Dec because of the policy, the temp will hopefully be no hotter than yesterday. Mix in a couple of games starting at 3PM and maybe a primetime game next season it could be much better.
Does anyone know when Sect. 115 gets shade?
It seems like if the roof doesn't get open until late Nov or in Dec because of the policy, the temp will hopefully be no hotter than yesterday. Mix in a couple of games starting at 3PM and maybe a primetime game next season it could be much better.
SheTexan
Hall of Fame
At this time of year, section 115 gets shade right about half time. I sit in 116 and we get shade within 5 min or so of the third quarter. Before the time change, the NEZ stays pretty much in the sun throughout the entire game. Might start getting shade late in the forth quarter. With the new temp policy, unless we have a night game, the roof will probably stay closed. This was the only noon game where the roof was open, this year, so I really can't, and won't, complain. IF it had been cloudy, it probably would have been a very nice open roof day. The glare and brightness was terrible.
Bob McNair
Waterboy
The weather was perfect and it was great having the roof open. Yes, my seats are in the shade, I would not have bought seats in the sun. I can't stand sitting in the sun (I don't like the brightness, glare, heat, or sunburn), but since I am more than 4 years old I knew that meant "get seats in the shade".
Some people love sitting in the sun. For those who don't like sitting in the sun but bought tickets in the North End Zone anyways: spend $3 and buy a hat or visor. Or spend $30 and buy a licensed Texans hat. If the sun is shining I wear a hat just to walk from the tailgate into the stadium.
I didn't check the time, but 115 got the shade about 10 minutes into the second half. I left my area with about 4 minutes on the clock before the half, and returned a few minutes after Davis' first kickoff return and my area had shade. From that point on the weather was great.
Before the game I was excited about the open roof given the temperature was below 80 degrees, but the stadium holds the heat and it felt more like 90. it wasn't anything like the Steeler game because I think I could have remained yesterday without becoming ill although it was extremely uncomfortable. 3:00 would be a great gametime, even with the warmer temperatures earlier in the season.
FILO_girl
I'm not here
It was almost miserable. Awesome weather for tailgating, but there is MINIMAL air movement inside Reliant. Didn't make the entire 4th quarter, too uncomfortable. If the roof is open, we are in the sun the entire game...for noon games.
If they could only close the roof on the NEZ...it would have been great.
If they could only close the roof on the NEZ...it would have been great.
It was warm, but it wasn't anything to freak out about. The beating of the sun and the constant holding the hand over forehead to block the glare was the biggest issue.
The shade was nice when it rolled around.
Personally, I'm all for keeping the roof open if it's nice weather/OR rainy weather. But it has to be cold in order for that bad boy to stay open. Anything over 75 degrees is going to be brutal for us.
I still have flashbacks of the Steelers game in 05, when I completely lost feeling in my hands.
The shade was nice when it rolled around.
Personally, I'm all for keeping the roof open if it's nice weather/OR rainy weather. But it has to be cold in order for that bad boy to stay open. Anything over 75 degrees is going to be brutal for us.
I still have flashbacks of the Steelers game in 05, when I completely lost feeling in my hands.
Drew_Smoke
@Drew_Smoke
I wussed out and moved to the other end. The sun is one thing, but no breeze (all they gotta do is prop doors open) sucks. If they'd just close the roof enough to block out the sun y'all would have it made.
Speedy
Former Yeller Dweller
It was plenty breezy in my upper SEZ seats. Almost made it a little too chilly. The flags on the south goal post were even flapping. First time ever I can recall noticing that.
And even when I baked in the sun in the NEZ the 1st 4 years, there seemed to always be a breeze, not so much for the Pittsburgh game, but I've always felt a breeze with the lid open.
Maybe it doesn't get down to the lower bowl.
SheTexan
Hall of Fame
All 70,000 fans can't sit in the shade, so why the nasty sarcasm? When I bought my seats I was more concerned about cost. Other than the upper levels, the end zone seats were the cheapest PSLs. I HATE heights, therefore my decision to buy seats in the end zone. I didn't think about the position of the stadium in relation to the sun, nor did anyone from the Texans point out to me that the NEZ would be in the sun. It was NEVER discussed. After 30+ years of watching football in a domed stadium, thinking about the SUN didn't cross my mind! So, I guess I have the mentality of a 4 yr old for not thinking about that issue!!
Bob McNair
Waterboy
At least 50,000 fans are in the shade most if not all the time. If you had read my original post you might have noticed that I said some people like to sit in the sun. Holy jeepers people drive to the beach so they can lay in the sun in the middle of the summer. So let those who want to sit in the sun sit in the minority of sunny seats, and the rest of us can sit in the shady seats.
You call this nasty sarcasm??? Please, you must not get out much. It was a very light tweaking. I can do nasty sarcasm, but that wasn't it. My seats are in the upper level, but unless you are on the first row I can't imagine fear of heights kicking in. If you HATE the "uncoolness" of having a great view of the game, then I can see that is a problem. I HATE paying a premium for seats that are so close to the field you can't see half the action without watching the jumbotron, so I prefer to not have seats in the lower level, especially the end zone of the lower level. You chose what was most important to you (reasonable price, lower level), I chose what was most important to me (reasonable price, in the shade, great view).
We are in the northern hemisphere, north of the tropics. Thus the sun is always "south", thus it always shines in the faces of people facing south, any time of day. The sun is directly overhead (east west) at 1pm daytime savings time, or noon standard time. People facing east might have a little sun early in the game, people facing west get lots of sun in the face most of the game. In a regular open stadium, everyone facing east gets lots of sun. The opening in the roof at Reliant is small enough that (depending on the time of year) most of the east facing seats get no sun at all. I'm not sure they explicitly covered all that in kindergarten, but we were expected to be able to do a little critical thinking by then (kidding! just kidding!).
Seriously, I don't imagine that unprompted the Texans discussed the relative disadvantages of every seat with every potential season ticket buyer. (Hey, those seats are a long way from the restroom. Hey, we just sold the row behind those seats to a sloppy drunk.) I do think the Texans were very clever to make the North End Zone seats "the Bullpen" (and not the South End Zone).
But anyway welcome to Texas. It is HOT here! Five months out of the year, it is brutally hot here. Only brain dead people, (led on by every sportswriter in town) would open the roof in the middle of September (I bet they never do that again). But on the most beautiful day in the history of the PLANET (December 30, 2007 in Houston), temperature in the 60's, the roof should be OPEN. Your main complaint was about the brightness and glare. I might have mentioned this before, but BUY A HAT. Heck, double up, and buy sunglasses too! If you love a domed stadium so much, move to Minnesota, don't insist that our stadium be turned into a dome.
1. The Texans organization advertised desired atomsphere for the Bull Pen.
2. The Texans organization did not advertise that certain areas of the field would have temperatures averaging 95 degrees per game.
3. Many people thought, although incorrectly, the open roof would be the same as open air.
4. Many like sunshine, but for the number of seats in the sun and the cost involved, very few if any in hindsight would have chosen seats that would pose a health risk.
5. The Texans experience could serve as a model for other teams that are planning new stadiums and given climate conditions if a retractable roof is a good investment. Bear in mind that the concept hasn't worked well for the Astros organization either.
6. Being Texan fans is what most of us on here have in common, so lets try not to be divided by some things that the organization can work out for the good of all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND ALL THE BEST FOR A 2008 PLAYOFF SEASON!
2. The Texans organization did not advertise that certain areas of the field would have temperatures averaging 95 degrees per game.
3. Many people thought, although incorrectly, the open roof would be the same as open air.
4. Many like sunshine, but for the number of seats in the sun and the cost involved, very few if any in hindsight would have chosen seats that would pose a health risk.
5. The Texans experience could serve as a model for other teams that are planning new stadiums and given climate conditions if a retractable roof is a good investment. Bear in mind that the concept hasn't worked well for the Astros organization either.
6. Being Texan fans is what most of us on here have in common, so lets try not to be divided by some things that the organization can work out for the good of all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND ALL THE BEST FOR A 2008 PLAYOFF SEASON!
Sunday's game with the roof open during absolutely perfect pleasant weather is proof of two things: a.) The design of the stadium was not well thought out and b.) The NFL and the Texans need to change their short-sighted rules regarding the roof policy.
Obviously, it will always be too hot and miserable in the sun even when the temps are in the 50's. Therefore, during all games, (except during rain) the roof over the south end of the stadium should always be open and the roof over the north end should be continuously adjusted as the sunlight moves over the stadium so as to maintain the shade in the stands.
There are shades over the luxury boxes where the golf-clapping, Grey Poupon crowd socialize during games. Why not let the north side roof act as a shade for the football fans? Having the south roof open, even during hot games will be fine, the Pittsburgh game was quite comfortable for the fans on the shady side.
The Texans have built this stadium with a retractable roof that is rarely used. Seems to me they should determine a way to make it work.
Obviously, it will always be too hot and miserable in the sun even when the temps are in the 50's. Therefore, during all games, (except during rain) the roof over the south end of the stadium should always be open and the roof over the north end should be continuously adjusted as the sunlight moves over the stadium so as to maintain the shade in the stands.
There are shades over the luxury boxes where the golf-clapping, Grey Poupon crowd socialize during games. Why not let the north side roof act as a shade for the football fans? Having the south roof open, even during hot games will be fine, the Pittsburgh game was quite comfortable for the fans on the shady side.
The Texans have built this stadium with a retractable roof that is rarely used. Seems to me they should determine a way to make it work.
Bob McNair
Waterboy
1. Was the advertised atmosphere for the BullPen cool laid back section, or wild rowdy paint-your-face screaming crazy party section that enjoys the game so much they won't even notice if it is snowing or 150 degrees?
2. What is temperature during the 8 games with the roof closed and the one night game that the season average is 95 degrees? If you say it is 95 degrees once or twice a year you are right because the temperature in the sun is probably about 30 degrees hotter than the temperature in the shade. If you wear a hat or visor to block the glare, that equates to sitting outside in the shade in Houston in June.
3. Agreed, that is why they decided to keep the roof closed if the temperature is over 80. When the roof is open, even the seats in the sun are probably as comfortable as any seat in an open stadium in the afternoon in Austin, College Station, Dallas, Miami, Tampa Bay, or Jacksonville during September. I've been in Austin and College Station and it's freaking hot... but that is football.
4. Interesting. Maybe someone should post a poll for BullPen members only: if you had it to do over again would you buy tickets in the BullPen or somewhere else? (I would expect most would strongly want to stay in the BullPen.) A health risk? Come on. Not unless your health is very fragile already. The Pittsburgh game in mid-September, I agree. But under current rules as I stated above, about the same as sitting in shade in the summer. If you drink a couple of bottles of water during the game, you will be fine. If you drink 10 beers during the game, a little more dicey but you probably have other health issues. I'm guessing the fans in Green Bay and New England aren't upset about having home playoff games in January - their weather can be a real health hazard.
5. Absolutely. I like the idea of retractable roof but design some airflow somehow!
6. Also agree absolutely! For most fans having the roof open greatly improves the gameday experience. But some of the posters seem like they can't bother to wear a hat once or twice a year, they would rather diminish the experience because they want the weather to be exactly like it is in their living room.
The shades were cute. Also they can retreat into the indoor suite part (got to get more caviar!) It is probably easy to shade the 3 or 4 rows in the luxury box, I don't see how you can shade the lower level with over 30 rows. If the front rows get any shade, the back rows can't see.
The NFL won't let you adjust the roof during the game. Also with the angle the sun comes in, completely closing the North half of the roof would shade the 500 level and the 300 level, but the lower level might still be in the sun with only the South half of the roof open (especially in December).
I guess I will leave it at this: at any non-dome stadium you should be prepared for the weather: sun, heat, rain, snow, sleet, whatever might happen at that venue. If you don't like that prospect, save your ticket money to buy a big screen and watch at home or switch to an indoor sport like basketball or hockey.
texanskan
Waterboy
What a bunch of freaking bitchers, I sit in section 115 and it was great in the first half with the sun and in the second half in the shade.
I can't figure out why so many folks ***** so much when it might not be 72 degree's to the number.
My god, I see why most did not want to ever deal with 90+ temps again but when it's in the 60's and 70's and perfect ya'll are still finding something wrong? wtf
50/80 rule should be fine for everyone if you can't handle that range you should never leave the house.
I can't figure out why so many folks ***** so much when it might not be 72 degree's to the number.
My god, I see why most did not want to ever deal with 90+ temps again but when it's in the 60's and 70's and perfect ya'll are still finding something wrong? wtf
50/80 rule should be fine for everyone if you can't handle that range you should never leave the house.
Hagar
Drink up yall, its the Texans!
I sit in section 119 and when the roof is open, it's always sunny. There is no, and I have never been in the shade at my seat. I know this and I am fine with the 80-degree upper limit. I don't care about the lower limit.
At the Jacksonville game I wore my cowboy to protect my face and short pants to keep cool. I was still sweating in the 3rd quarter.
Its something you have to learn to live with and make adequate preparations. Now I have no interest in sitting in those seats when the temperature rises over 80 degrees. You'd bake.
At the Jacksonville game I wore my cowboy to protect my face and short pants to keep cool. I was still sweating in the 3rd quarter.
Its something you have to learn to live with and make adequate preparations. Now I have no interest in sitting in those seats when the temperature rises over 80 degrees. You'd bake.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
Section 120...
The only game I ever had an issue with was that Pittsburgh game.
But no worries... The skin graphs on the back of my legs should be complete over the next couple of months. When I say "I left a peice of me at Reliant", I meant it literally...
The only game I ever had an issue with was that Pittsburgh game.
But no worries... The skin graphs on the back of my legs should be complete over the next couple of months. When I say "I left a peice of me at Reliant", I meant it literally...
Texans_Chick
Utopian Dreamer
This is right. For me, the glare was a little more difficult than the heat. That being said, it was nice to have the roof open.
I think they should have it open for temps colder than 50 as well.
When I saw how sunny it was, I predicted that the returns on the Bull Pen side of the field were going to be a little quirky. Sure enough, the Jag player let the ball bounce in front of him for the first return. I can't imagine trying to catch a kickoff or punt looking into that sun.
yep, it's basically a dome with a sun roof for all intents and purposes.
I'm not sure I follow you with this one. The Astros have been setting annual attendance records at Minutemaid and have actually won several post-season series. What part didn't work out for them?
I think the NFL and the networks determine the starting times, not the individual teams. We have traditionally had 12:00 starting times because we've traditionally sucked, and this is the lowest time slot with regards to television ratings. We win more games and we'll start seeing more 3:00 starts.
NitroGSXR
Super Sic #58
I think it was more of an inclination that the stadium is rarely open at Minute Maid thus a waste of money installing a retractable roof.
Personally? I'd want the roof welded shut or only allow it to be open for games after 3pm. The sun really does hamper my view and that's what bothers me the most when attending venues such as this one. I came to watch football and baseball. I paid good money and I want to see the game. The sun's glare hampers that tremenously. I'm not saying that the temperature needs to be whatever it is, I'm just saying that I want to see the game. I close the blinds in my living room at around noon and open them around 2-3 so I can see the TV. Glare blows. I don't care what temperature it is in the stadium just as long as I can see the jumbotron and field.
Reliant needs to replace a couple of speakers with large fans for those in the bullpen. That would be easily done, I'd think.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
Agreed. I have no idea where that comment about the Astros came in to play. In 2007, the Astros finished 10th in overall attendance, 10th in average at 37,000+ and 8th in percentage of capacity AND that was with a completely crappy product on the field...
Disagree here. With the Oilers, our divisional foes were all in the Eastern Time Zone which played a major role. With the Texans, Indy and Tenn., are CST and JAX being EST. Teams like KC that are located in CST have divisional teams that are either Mountain Time (Denver) and Pacific time. They play in the 3:00 slot a lot and they are not exactly world beaters.
Also, generally the majority of Sunday's games fall in the noon time slot anyway.
I remember one year that we had a 3:00 game that got moved back to 12:00 during the season. That was a network decision, IIRC.
I would not doubt that there are certain provisions to accomodate time zones (mentioned below).
Here is an article about flex scheduling, which mentions:
It says nothing about the teams having a say in the matter.
I'll keep looking, as I recall reading an article pertaining to the game start times as they relate to the teams and ratings. Things obviously could have changed since then, but my main point was that the teams themselves have no say in the matter.
I was referring to the "temp in the stadium today" and wondered out loud rather typed, that given the cost of both stadiums to include retractable roofs, that even though the concept was great in theory, the application seems to be less than desired. In other words how is the open roof concept working for us, not attendance statistics. Things could have changed over the last year, but my experiences at Minute Maid except for the first year that at most times the roof was closed during afternoon games, and the evening game closed until about the 7th inning, and in some games remained closed at all times. I didn't go to any of the games last year, so the policy could have changed.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
I remember one year that we had a 3:00 game that got moved back to 12:00 during the season. That was a network decision, IIRC.
I would not doubt that there are certain provisions to accomodate time zones (mentioned below).
Here is an article about flex scheduling, which mentions:
It says nothing about the teams having a say in the matter.
I'll keep looking, as I recall reading an article pertaining to the game start times as they relate to the teams and ratings. Things obviously could have changed since then, but my main point was that the teams themselves have no say in the matter.
We're definitely on the same page there (underlined part). I knew that it was always a Network and League call.
My perspective was from a general standpoint. For example; I have seen them schedule the Dallas v. say (Philly / NY / Wash) game to the 3:00 time slot because it is for ratings. But thats more of an exception than a rule for teams from the Central and East. So in that respect ratings do play a part.
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
O-W-E-N-S!!! O-W-E-N-S!!! O-W-E-N-S!!! O-W-E-N-S!!! O-W-E-N-S!!!
Texan_Bill
Hall of Fame
As Joe stated. The original design for Reliant was to be an open air stadium. The Rodeo which actually occupies the venue for more dates than the Texans do, needed a roof for their performances. The Rodeo can not be rained out.... Period.
With Minute Maid there have been times that I was dissapointed that the roof wasn't opened. There have been times that was dissapointed that the roof wasn't closed. Point being is, you cant please all of the people all of the time.
If we had built an open air football stadium, it would have been engineered to maximize natural air flows. The sun would still be a factor, as would Houston's infamous mosquitoes (one of the reasons the Astrodome was built).
The compromise was Reliant Stadium. I like it, but then again, I sit on the dark side, so it's never an issue. I'm always looking down at the field anyway, so open, closed, or dome, it's never made much of a difference to me.
With regards to Minutemaid, I've always thought the roof was a novelty. And as novelties go, I've always liked it. Growing up and watching ball in the sterile confines of the Astrodome, it was a welcome relief to get any kind of open air 'feel' during a baseball game.
The compromise was Reliant Stadium. I like it, but then again, I sit on the dark side, so it's never an issue. I'm always looking down at the field anyway, so open, closed, or dome, it's never made much of a difference to me.
With regards to Minutemaid, I've always thought the roof was a novelty. And as novelties go, I've always liked it. Growing up and watching ball in the sterile confines of the Astrodome, it was a welcome relief to get any kind of open air 'feel' during a baseball game.
GlassHalfFull
Hall of Fame
And sadly enough, there are some people you can never please.
You have obviously met my ex-wife.
Texanfan4ever
Rookie
I'm in 119 and it is never in the shade. Would have been about 3:15. Sunday's game was warm. Not undoable, but sweaty. I had forgotten and didn't wear a visor, that would have made a tremendous difference with the glare. By the end of the game after staring into the glaring sun, I not only was exhausted and a/c deprived but had a horrendous headache.
Unbearable heat??? Not that day, but unbearable glare that sneaks up on you and makes a statement at the end of 4 quarters. We sit down at 11:30 and don't leave until the very end.
That being said, I love the sun and the roof being open. Next year I won't forget my visor. Sunglasses don't help because there is too much glare.
Unbearable heat??? Not that day, but unbearable glare that sneaks up on you and makes a statement at the end of 4 quarters. We sit down at 11:30 and don't leave until the very end.
That being said, I love the sun and the roof being open. Next year I won't forget my visor. Sunglasses don't help because there is too much glare.