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Colt Stadium

Colt Stadium was a temporary open-air baseball park in Houston, Texas, that served as the home field for the expansion Houston Colt .45s of Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1964.^[1]^[2]^[3] Constructed rapidly starting in August 1961 on the site that would later become part of the Astrodome complex, the stadium was designed as an interim venue because the innovative domed stadium was not ready for the 1962 season.^[2] With a capacity of approximately 33,000 seats arranged in a single tier of multicolored bleachers—featuring shades like flamingo red, burnt orange, chartreuse, and turquoise—Colt Stadium opened on April 10, 1962, drawing 25,271 fans for the Colt .45s' inaugural game against the Chicago Cubs.^[1]^[2] Its location at the northwest corner of the future Astrodome site exposed it to Houston's intense heat, humidity, and frequent mosquito swarms, earning it a reputation as one of the most uncomfortable venues in MLB history; during a single June 1962 doubleheader, over 80 spectators required medical treatment for heat exhaustion.^[1]^[2]^[3] The stadium hosted the Colt .45s for just three seasons, during which the team compiled a 196–288 record, and it played a key role in Houston's entry into major league baseball as the National League's first expansion franchise west of St. Louis.^[4] Notable events included the initiation of Sunday night baseball games in 1962, a scheduling innovation driven by the stadium's floodlights and Houston's growing fanbase, as well as young pitcher Larry Dierker's MLB debut on his 18th birthday in September 1964.^[4]^[3] The final game occurred on September 27, 1964, after which the team rebranded as the Houston Astros and moved to the newly completed Astrodome in 1965.^[1]^[2] Following its brief tenure, Colt Stadium was dismantled in 1970, with its components relocated to Torreón, Mexico, where it was reassembled as El Mecano in 1971 before being moved again to Tampico; today, remnants serve as a public playground.^[1]^[2] Despite its short lifespan and harsh conditions, the stadium symbolizes Houston's ambitious push into professional sports during the Space Age, paving the way for the revolutionary Astrodome and the city's enduring baseball legacy.^[4]^[2]

Design and Features

Architectural Design

Colt Stadium was constructed as a temporary, single-deck, open-air ballpark to serve as the interim home for the Houston Colt .45s while the Astrodome was being built. The design featured a simple, functional layout with a continuous grandstand extending from foul pole to foul pole, emphasizing accessibility and basic spectator viewing without upper tiers or elaborate enclosures. This open configuration provided no overhead cover, relying entirely on natural ventilation to manage Houston's humid subtropical climate, which often exacerbated discomfort during games.^[5]^[1] The stadium's aesthetic incorporated a modern, colorful palette, with seating upholstered in pastel shades reminiscent of rainbow sherbet, including prominent flamingo-pink cushions in the main grandstand areas to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Half of the seating consisted of these cushioned chairs, while the remainder and outfield sections used basic bleachers, contributing to the venue's economical and straightforward build. Amenities were minimal, including floodlights for evening play and concession areas that stocked insect repellent to address the prolific mosquito presence drawn by the surrounding marshy terrain and lack of barriers. Later, the structure was repainted gray before its relocation.^[6]^[5]^[1] Built at a cost of approximately $2 million, the project began in late 1961 and was completed in time for the 1962 season opener on April 10, on a site in what would become the northern parking area of the Astrodome complex. This rapid timeline reflected its provisional role, with the entire facility designed for easy disassembly and reuse, ultimately leading to its dismantling in the late 1960s. The absence of air conditioning or enclosed elements underscored its short-term purpose, prioritizing cost efficiency over long-term comfort adaptations.^[5]^[1]^[6]

Field Dimensions and Capacity

Colt Stadium featured expansive outfield dimensions that emphasized pitching dominance and defensive play over power hitting. The left and right field foul lines measured 360 feet from home plate, with left-center and right-center power alleys at 395 feet, and straightaway center field reaching 420 feet, accompanied by a 30-foot-high wall in center that further deterred home runs.^[7] These deep fences contributed to pitcher-friendly conditions, as evidenced by the Houston Colt .45s' low power output in their inaugural 1962 season, when the team hit just 92 home runs across 162 games.^[8] The infield adhered to standard Major League Baseball specifications of the era, featuring a 90-foot diamond with foul lines extending well beyond the outfield walls due to the stadium's generous foul territory of approximately 31,700 square feet.^[9] Minimal bleacher seating was provided in left and right fields, while the center field area remained open, occupied primarily by the scoreboard integrated into the wall, which preserved visibility for outfielders but limited spectator options in that sector.^[1] Seating capacity at Colt Stadium totaled around 33,000, arranged in a single tier of grandstands stretching from foul pole to foul pole, supplemented by temporary bleachers in the outfield corners to accommodate larger crowds.^[1] The pitcher's mound stood at the 1960s MLB standard height of 15 inches above home plate, with the rubber positioned 60 feet, 6 inches away, while batter's boxes measured 4 feet wide by 6 feet long on each side of the plate, aligning with league regulations to ensure fair play.

History in Houston

Construction and Opening

Colt Stadium was constructed as a temporary venue for the expansion Houston Colt .45s of Major League Baseball's National League, serving as their home field from 1962 to 1964 while the permanent Astrodome was built on an adjacent site in Houston, Texas.^[10]^[11] The stadium was financed by local investors through the Houston Sports Association, a group that included prominent figures such as Judge Roy Hofheinz, who played a key role in securing the franchise and overseeing the project's development.^[12]^[2] The design was handled by the architecture firm Lloyd, Morgan & Jones, known for their work on modern Houston structures, with construction beginning on August 9, 1961, and completing in time for the 1962 season at a total cost of $2 million.^[13]^[2]^[5] This rapid timeline reflected the urgency to establish a suitable MLB facility, as the existing Buffalo Stadium was deemed inadequate for major league play.^[11] The stadium opened on April 10, 1962—coinciding with Hofheinz's 50th birthday—with the regular-season opener against the Chicago Cubs, where the Colt .45s secured an 11–2 victory before a crowd of 25,271 fans.^[14]^[15] Early games drew strong interest, highlighted by a state record attendance of 33,145 on June 10, 1962, for a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[4]

Seasons and Notable Events

The Houston Colt .45s began their franchise history at Colt Stadium with the 1962 season, finishing with a 64–96 record and placing eighth in the National League.^[8] The team opened on April 10 against the Chicago Cubs, securing an 11–2 victory in their debut game, highlighted by outfielder Román Mejías' two home runs and six RBIs.^[15] This win marked the first in club history, drawing a crowd of 25,271 fans to the temporary ballpark.^[14] In 1963, the Colt .45s posted a 66–96 record, again finishing ninth in the National League.^[16] A notable milestone occurred on June 9, when they hosted the San Francisco Giants in the first Sunday night game in Major League Baseball history, prompted by Houston's extreme daytime heat; the Colt .45s won 3–0 behind Hal Brown's complete game shutout.^[4]^[17] Another highlight was pitcher Don Nottebart's no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 17, a 4–1 victory that became the first in franchise history, with Nottebart striking out eight and walking three.^[18] The 1964 season saw the Colt .45s conclude their time at Colt Stadium with a 66–96 record, finishing ninth in the league for the second straight year.^[19] On April 23, pitcher Ken Johnson threw a nine-inning no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds but suffered a 1–0 loss—the only such defeat in MLB history—due to two errors and a walk in the ninth inning.^[20] A notable event was young pitcher Larry Dierker's MLB debut on September 22, his 18th birthday.^[3] The final game at the stadium came on September 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a 1–0 extra-inning win for Houston in 12 innings, powered by Bob Bruce's complete game and Jim Wynn's game-winning single scoring Rusty Staub.^[21] Several unique events defined the stadium's brief MLB tenure. The spacious field dimensions, including 420 feet to center field, contributed to low home run totals across the three seasons, with the Colt .45s ranking last in the National League in homers in 1962.^[5] Extreme heat was a recurring challenge, exemplified by the June 10, 1962, doubleheader against the Dodgers, where temperatures reached the 90s and 78 fans were treated for heat prostration.^[22] Additionally, Dan Rather served as the public address announcer during the early games of the 1962 season, earning $10 per game in a role that predated his national journalism career.^[23]

Attendance and Criticisms

During its three seasons as the home of the Houston Colt .45s, Colt Stadium struggled with consistently low attendance, reflecting the challenges faced by a new expansion franchise in a hot Southern climate. In 1962, the inaugural year, the team drew a total of 924,456 fans for 81 home games, averaging 11,413 per game and ranking seventh in the National League among 10 teams.^[8] This figure was respectable for an expansion team, surpassing the New York Mets' league-worst 922,530 total but trailing the American League's other newcomer, the Los Angeles Angels, who attracted 1,144,063. Attendance declined sharply thereafter, dropping to 719,502 in 1963 (average 8,883, last in the NL) and 725,773 in 1964 (average 8,960, again last), amid the team's sub-.500 records and growing fan dissatisfaction with the venue's conditions.^[19] The stadium's open-air design exacerbated Houston's extreme summer heat and humidity, leading to widespread criticisms from fans and players alike. Temperatures frequently exceeded 100°F during daytime games, with one notable instance on June 10, 1962, reaching 100°F and causing multiple fans to faint from heat exhaustion; spectators often resorted to soaking towels in ice water to cope.^[24] The lack of shade or any cooling systems made the environment unbearable, prompting the Colt .45s to schedule a high proportion of night games—over 60% in 1962—to avoid peak heat, including the major leagues' first Sunday night contest on June 9, 1963.^[4] Players echoed these complaints; outfielder Rusty Staub, who debuted with the team in 1963, later described Colt Stadium as "the hottest place on the face of the Earth," highlighting the relentless discomfort that affected performance and morale. Additional operational flaws compounded the issues, including severe mosquito infestations and inadequate lighting. The stadium's location near marshy areas led to swarms of mosquitoes, particularly at night, forcing vendors to sell insect repellent and grounds crews to fog the stands regularly, which further irritated attendees.^[25] Poor lighting created visibility problems for fielders tracking fly balls under the insufficient illumination, while the dirt warning track generated dust clouds in the wind, adding to the overall haze and discomfort during games.^[10] These environmental and infrastructural shortcomings, stemming from the stadium's hasty construction as a temporary facility, alienated fans and underscored the need for a more suitable enclosed venue. The cumulative effect of low turnout and these persistent criticisms accelerated the push for a permanent home, directly contributing to the rapid completion and opening of the Astrodome in 1965 as the Colt .45s' new ballpark.^[25] The temporary nature of Colt Stadium amplified these problems, as minimal investments in improvements left unresolved the very issues that deterred attendance and comfort.^[26]

Relocation and Later Use

Dismantling and Move to Torreón

Following the relocation of the Houston Colt .45s to the newly opened Astrodome in 1965, Colt Stadium stood unused adjacent to the dome, primarily functioning as a storage yard for approximately five years. To minimize its visibility as an eyesore in aerial photographs of the Astrodome complex, Astros owner Roy Hofheinz ordered the structure painted gray. Over this period, the stadium gradually fell into disrepair as a result of neglect.^[5] In 1970, after Harris County declared the unused stadium taxable—imposing a financial burden on the Astros—Hofheinz initiated its complete dismantling to clear the site and eliminate the liability. The disassembly process, which occurred piece by piece and encompassed seats, fixtures, and other components, reflected the stadium's original modular design that facilitated such deconstruction. The resulting parts were stored on-site near the Astrodome until 1974, when they were sold for $100,000 to Juan Abusaíd on behalf of the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna—commonly known as the Torreón Cotton Pickers—a team in Mexico's Liga Mexicana de Béisbol seeking an economical solution for a new ballpark.^[27]^[5]^[28] The components were then transported roughly 650 miles south to Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, where reassembly beginning in late 1974 transformed the structure into Estadio Superior in 1975, named after a local beer sponsor.^[5]^[2]^[28] This relocation addressed the Mexican club's need for a cost-effective venue while allowing Houston authorities to repurpose the land adjacent to the Astrodome.^[5]

Use in Torreón

Following its disassembly in Houston, the stadium was transported and reassembled in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, where it became operational in 1975 as Estadio Superior, named after a local beer sponsor. It served as the home venue for the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna, the local franchise in the Mexican League, recognized as a Triple-A level circuit affiliated with Major League Baseball. The reassembly preserved much of the prefabricated steel structure originally designed for Colt Stadium, allowing for relatively quick installation adjacent to the existing Estadio Moctezuma.^[28] The facility hosted professional baseball games from 1975 through 1981, providing a dedicated space for the Algodoneros during a period of regional growth in the sport. Modifications during reassembly, including the omission of the original outfield bleachers, reduced its seating capacity from the Houston-era 33,000 to an estimated 20,000–25,000 spectators, better suiting local demand while maintaining the venue's open-air design. This adjustment helped accommodate crowds for regular season and playoff contests, contributing to increased fan engagement in Torreón and surrounding areas of La Laguna region.^[28]^[10] Under the Algodoneros banner, the team experienced competitive seasons at Estadio Superior, drawing notable talent that elevated the franchise's profile. Players such as Héctor Espino, a legendary Mexican slugger and multiple-time league home run leader, joined the roster in 1979 and 1980, where he set a record with 11 consecutive hits in one stretch and continued to draw significant crowds with his power hitting. The stadium's role as a modern facility at the time spurred local attendance boosts, fostering a stronger baseball culture in Torreón by offering fans access to high-level Triple-A play and memorable performances.^[28]^[29]^[30] Adaptations to the structure were minimal, focusing on practical enhancements for the hot, arid Mexican climate of Coahuila, such as reinforced roofing elements for better shade in the grandstands, while retaining the original field dimensions of left field at 360 feet, center at 420 feet, and right at 360 feet. The venue remained exclusively dedicated to baseball throughout its tenure in Torreón, without conversion for other sports or events, emphasizing its purpose-built design for professional play.^[28]^[10] The stadium's use in Torreón concluded after the 1981 season, when the Unión Laguna franchise relocated to Monclova as the Astros de Monclova and the stadium was sold for further transport. This marked the end of its role as a key baseball landmark in the city, after which it was prepared for relocation.^[28]

Move to Tampico and Current Status

After the 1981 season, following seven seasons of use in Torreón, Colt Stadium—known locally as "El Mecano" due to its modular design—was sold to the revived Alijadores de Tampico franchise of the Mexican League and disassembled for relocation over 500 miles southeast to Tampico, Tamaulipas.^[31]^[28] The structure was reassembled in Tampico by 1983 as Estadio Ángel Castro, where it continued to serve as a baseball venue while retaining key elements of its original Houston design, such as the steel-frame construction and seating layout.^[1] The Alijadores de Tampico had been revived in the Mexican League in 1971, but used other facilities until the arrival of the stadium; it then supported professional games as the home of the rebranded Astros de Tampico from 1983 to 1985, before the team folded and professional baseball ceased at the venue.^[32]^[33] Throughout the early 1980s, it also hosted local amateur leagues and community events.^[34] In the mid-1980s, after the franchise departed, the stadium was incorporated into the campus of the Universidad del Noreste in Tampico and adapted for multi-purpose activities beyond baseball, including soccer matches, concerts, and various amateur sports events. The Mexico City Tigers purchased it in 1985 with plans to relocate it again, but due to high costs and structural damage from the tropical climate, they abandoned the idea, leaving it in place.^[1] As of 2023, the aging structure stands in a dilapidated state on the university grounds, functioning primarily as a public recreational area and occasional event space, with portions of the original seating and framework still visible but no longer suitable for organized sports at a professional level; some sections have been repurposed as a playground and storage.^[1]^[34]

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