The 2008 Houston Astros feature an exciting blend of speed and power that all baseball fans will enjoy. The Astros play at Minute Maid Park, a ballpark that is currently in its ninth season as one of the premier facilities in Major League Baseball. Minute Maid Park combines the state-of-the-art technology of a retractable roof with the history of the railroad�??s importance to the City of Houston. Fans enter the ballpark through Union Station, which served as the port of entry for the city via train for several decades. A replica of a 19th-century train (circa 1860) actually runs along the low roof track on the ballpark�??s West side. The field�??s 242-foot high retractable roof allows views of Houston�??s downtown skyline when the weather is nice and the roof remains open. Minute Maid Park was also the first major sports facility to feature a closed-caption board for the hearing impaired. The ballpark capacity is 40,976, spread throughout nine different seating areas. Each of the park�??s four levels �?? Main Councourse, Club Level, Suite Level, and Upper Concourse, give fans a different perspective of the action on the field. Astros fans can notice several changes to the ballpark this season, including a rebranded main concourse, many new options at the concession stands, and a timeline that tells the story of the history of the franchise on the main concourse behind home plate.