Seibu Dome

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Seibu Dome
nickname =


fullname =
location = 2135 Kami-Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa-City, Saitama
coordinates = coord|35|46|6.6|N|139|25|13.80|E|region:JP_type:landmark|display=title,inline
broke_ground =
built =
opened = April 14, 1979
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Seibu Railway Company, Ltd.
operator =
surface =
construction_cost =
architect =
structural engineer =
services engineer =
general_contractor=
project_manager =
main_contractors =
former_names = Seibu Lions Stadium, Invoice Seibu Dome, Goodwill Dome
tenants = Saitama Seibu Lions - (Pacific League) - (1979-current)
seating_capacity = 35,655 (2007)
dimensions = Left Field - 100 m (328.1 ft)
Center Field - 122 m (400.3 ft)
Right Field - 100 m (328.1 ft)
Height of Outfield Fence - 3.2 m（10.5 ft）～ 4.37 m（14.3 ft） nihongo|Seibu Dome|西武ドーム|Seibu Dōmu is the home field of the Saitama Seibu Lions professional baseball team located in Tokorozawa, Saitama, [ [http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/railways/tourist/english/info/seibuen.html SEIBU RAILWAY Tourist Guide] 　web page Information of a Seibu group] Japan.

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 only other known covered stadium with a permanent opening is Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington, United States. Its opening is oriented along left and center field, making it possible for home runs to leave that park as well.

The stadium was built in 1979 without the roof and named nihongo|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 nihongo|Invoice Seibu Dome|インボイス西武ドーム|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 [ [http://www.comsn.co.jp/comsnpress/new/2006/12/04/index.html Goodwill Press release] December 5, 2006 (Japanese web site)] , the name was changed again to nihongo|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 effective for five years.Although Seibu Dome is still the official name of the stadium, the stadium and media use the sponsored name almost exclusively. [ [http://www.goodwill.com/gwg/english/corporate/history_2007.html goodwill history] ] However, in 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/lions/dome/ Seibu Dome Official Site]