SkyDome’s roof consists of three
interlocking panels that cover the
baseball diamond and grandstand
when the roof is in place. In twenty
minutes, however, a series of gears
and pulleys can be engaged to re-
tract the panels toward the outfield
perimeter of the stadium, exposing
the entire field and more than 90
percent of the fifty-four thousand
seats to the open air. Baseball players
maintain that a batted ball travels
farther when the stadium is enclosed
because of a downdraft created by
the retracted panels that rest beyond
the outfield fences when the stadium
is open. Although the roof can be
left open to the sun and rain, Sky-
Dome’s playing surface is covered
with artificial turf rather than grass.
Besides its retractable roof, SkyDome
made another important contribu-
tion to sports stadium design. Along with the usual
food-and-drink concession stands available in all ma-
jor sports arenas, SkyDome included a hotel, restau-
rant, and health club, so fans could spend their en-
tire day—even their entire vacations—in SkyDome.
Such auxiliary facilities began to appear in other
large sports stadiums built after the opening of
SkyDome.
Impact The opening of SkyDome inspired the con-
struction of retractable-dome stadiums in other cit-
ies hosting Major League Baseball teams. Moreover,
it represented a significant architectural and engi-
neering feat generally, inspiring innovations in the
design of other major urban structures. Finally, the
combination of several facilities, including a hotel,
within SkyDome both anticipated and participated
in the movement toward mixed-use and “destina-
tion” structures in general, which attempted to draw
consumers to a single location featuring multiple
types of attractions and spending opportunities.
Further Reading
Gershman, Michael.Diamonds: The Evolution of the
Ballpark—From Elysian Fields to Camden Yards. Bos-
ton: Houghton Mifflin, 1993.
Lowry, Philip J.Green Cathedrals: The Ultimate Celebra-
tion of Major League and Negro League Ballparks.
New York: Walker, 2006.
Tackach, James, and Joshua B. Stein.The Fields of
Summer: America’s Great Ballparks and the Players
Who Triumphed in Them. New York: Crescent Books,
1992.
James TackachSee also Architecture; Baseball; Sports.Slang and slogans
Definition Linguistic innovations
New slang and slogans in the 1980’s stemmed from market-
ing and merchandising, social and political life, science,
entertainment, and trends among young people.
During the 1980’s, marketing agencies reflected in
their slogans a no-nonsense, no-frills approach that
corresponded to the minimalist movement in litera-
ture and music of the decade. Ad campaigns es-
chewed flowery language in favor of assertive blunt-
ness with such slogans as “Just do it” (Nike) and “It
works every time” (Colt 45). Coca-Cola’s slogans of
the decade were equally pithy: “Coke is the real
thing” and “Coke is it.” Even when marketers pro-
moted indulgence, they did so tersely: “Reassuringly
expensive” (Stella Artois) and “All the sugar and
twice the caffeine” (Jolt Cola). Patriotism also fea-880 Slang and slogans The Eighties in America
An aerial view of SkyDome, with the retractable roof closed.(Lee M./ GFDL)