New Rays Stadium Proposal

The Rays are back at it again sorta

 A group of developers proposed a new Rays stadium located in the business park named Carillon in north north St. Pete near the airport. The proposal is on the other side of the highway from my concept, if you need help visualizing. This one would cost roughly $600 million, with the developer putting up $150 million and the Rays believed to be willing to put up another $150 million. The Rays, aren't involved with this particular plan. It's just something a developer has come up with. 

St. Petersburg's City Council held a special two-hour meeting Friday to hear the proposal and hopes to get a new stadium built in St. Petersburg, as opposed to across Tampa Bay in Tampa. The proposal is beautiful, and planning to have around 35,000 seats. Actual businesses will be built into the side of the ballpark. The plan is to have business go on during the day, and then come gametime the parking lots around the stadium to be cleared and be available for parking. On top of that, Disney-style trams will go around making the walk not bad. Plus the renderings are pretty.

Many people want them to build the stadium in downtown Tampa. Thing is, the developers did a study on population and travel time and found that in this location across the bay from Tampa would have the most people within 30 minutes. So all of Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete could essentially drive there in a half hour. Sound familiar? But the Rays should take this seriously, the proposal is still in the St Pete city limits, and there is already bars and businesses all around that could host fans before and after games. 

I just hope this gets done coming from a huge fan.

NEWS

So I got back from my Tallahassee-Indiana-New York road trip!

I saw all the stadiums on the FSU campus, so this year expect a bunch of stadium report cards. We drove on through to Indiana to visit family. I wanted to go to a Indianapolis Indians game, but they weren't home when I was there. We flew to New York, where I saw the Mets play at Citi. That ballpark is GREAT. My favorite ballpark so far. We have a report card, so I haven't posted yet! On the 4th of July we went to Coney Island, and were outside the Brooklyn Cyclones stadium where I got a shirt, but didn't see inside.

It's right on the board walk, so it was cool watching the fireworks there.

I also saw MSG up close, and Yankee Stadium from the air! We didn't go by the new Brooklyn arena, and the Islanders play really far away. Also, no New Jersey even though the Giants/Jets/Red Bull play RIGHT there.

So sorry for the lack of posting, I just havent thought of what to do! I want to go to a Rowdies game before I leave for college, so I might. Also the Olympics are this weekend, so I'll post the stadiums soon. My dad and I also are trying to work out going to Raleigh when Florida State plays his NC State in October. I could hook you guys up

Stadium Report Cards: Marlins Ballpark

It's been far too long since we've had one of these.

Team: Miami Marlins
Location: Miami, Fl
League: Major League Baseball(NL East)
Built: 2012
Capacity: 37,442
My event: Regular Season Game: Tampa Bay Rays

1. Outdoor Design

I was amazed the first time I saw the park and it wasn’t just how big it was, we were still on I-95 when we could see it, but also how beautiful it looks. The exterior is mostly glass going all around with the retractable roof but it is still beautiful looking. The team store located by the box office could have been a little bigger but it was still nice and included memorabilia from the first game. 8/10

2. Indoor Design

It was very nice inside. The concourses were spacy and even included the bobble head museum which was cool to see. There is not a bad seat in the stadium even if you are in the outfield. Then of course the infamous home run centerpiece was cool to see in person, very colorful. From our seats we could also see the Clevelander in left field by the Marlins bullpen. From what we saw it has everything the actual Clevelander has including dancers and a pool. 8/10

3. Prices

Prices were no major issue. Our seats were on the first base line in the upper level for only $20 each. The view was great. Typical ballpark food prices so it wasn’t too bad. 7/10

4. Food

There were a variety of choices from burgers, pizza and even a small section called “Taste of Miami” which is a unique concept of Miami based cuisine. I didn’t get to try it but a friend of mine felt he overpaid for such a small amount of food. 6/10

5. Staff

Staff was very friendly and talkative. I wanted to get a picture of the aquarium tanks behind home plate and the staff there allowed me to do so. I couldn’t get too close but still that was very kind of them. 8/10

6. Cleanliness

Being a new park I did not expect cleanliness to be a problem. 9/10

7. Parking

Parking was expensive if you parked in the ballpark lots. We parked in a lady’s yard for only $10 and we were right across the street from the park. 7/10

8. Atmosphere

The atmosphere was not very good. 60% full and half of the fans were Rays fans. I can’t be too harsh for this particular night was the same night the Miami Heat played the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the East Finals so most of Miami was at that game or outside American Airlines Arena. Those who were there did cheer their team on though so I give them credit 6/10

9. Playing Surface

 

The grounds crew did a good job keeping the surface of the infield neat. Nothing majorly special otherwise. You can see some of it in this picture of the home run sculpture 8/10

10. Scoreboard

Nice scoreboard but kept malfunctioning. It was off for a good four innings before power was restored. Nice and clear when it was working. 7/10

So overall that is a 74, knocked down by atmosphere. I still want to go to a game there, and it will be one of the best in the majors for a long time.

Stadium prints

Some very cool prints with MLB parks and the roads surrounding. You can see them here, just sign up. They were on sale, when normally they're 40 dollars.

Astrodome Down

The "Eighth Wonder of the World" is looking pretty bad these days. The first domed stadium in the world has been without a team since 1999, and it's really been on the decline. Built in 1965, it was the first stadium in the world with a roof. With no natural sunlight, the invention of astroturf also came along. This was really the first big money stadium, a Cowboy Stadium of it's day. The scoreboard cost a million dollars, and 35 million overall. The thing is, to tear it down would cost almost 100 million dollars. So the city of Houston would rather keep the eyesore open. 

All of Houston's teams have new buildings. The dome hosted the Astros and Oilers from 1965 until both teams moved in their own way. The Astros, Texans, and Rockets opened new digs in 2000, 2002, and 2003 respectively. The Houston Cougars and Dynamo played at the Cougars' Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. But the Dynamo built their new BBVA Stadium for this year, and the Cougars plan on razing Robertson Stadium, and build a new stadium in it's place.

The last time the Astrodome was really used was for Hurricane Katrina victims. But it looks like a tornado went through the dome. Here are some more sad pictures of the old dome.

http://www.chron.com/news/gallery/Astrodome-tour-41244/photo-2774936.php.

First Look: Marlins Ballpark

Here is about 100 pictures of the Marlins Ballpark for you guys!

http://www.stadiumpage.com/construction/MarlinsPark_201200302.html

I think it looks REALLY good. I have some friends going there when the Rays are in town, but unfortunately they play the same weekend I graduate. So I'll get them to do a report card for you all.

Now, I have some stuff planned. I'll try to do 3 spring training ballpark report cards this month. I'm going to Port Charlotte for the Rays in two weeks, and our friend Neil will be in Ft. Myers, and do the Twins and BoSox' park. Should be cool.

JetBlue Park

So the Red Sox opened up their new Spring Training facility in Ft. Myers, Florida today with the reporting of pitchers and catchers. It has a mix of new design, and a giant Fenway-esque monster. Seen below.

Here is a link to a video that takes you on a tour!
http://www.nesn.com/2012/02/tom-caron-tours-jetblue-park-gains-insight-on-what-makes-red-sox-new-spring-training-facility-specia.html

So in blog news, I've been busy, but I'll try to post some stories I see. I also might have a report card for the Citrus Bowl for you all.

A look at Marlins Ballpark

Here we go! It's shaping up down there in Miami. The first home game is Opening Day, with the Cards in town for a 1 game series.

Wrigley Field Triangle Building

A proposed idea for the triangle lot adjacent to Wrigley Field along the 3rd base grandstand - a thesis project developed with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Really dig the ideas, renderings, floor plans, and elevations for this Triangle Building to enhance the Wrigley Field experience.

 The main idea is to liven up the Wrigley experience, since the stadium is starting to ware down. It features a lot of things such as a Cubs Museum, Pro Shop, and a deck at the very top that connects.

It's a proposal, but it looks VERY nice.

Read more about the project here, and look at more views here.

Keeping Stadium Neighborhoods Alive in the Off-Season

There’s only one thing more depressing come October than the end of baseball season: the sight of an empty ballpark. All those vacant seats, the hot-dog concessions closed, the field empty, and the gates padlocked until the following spring. It’s a bitter scene for baseball lovers.

But it’s an economic conundrum for cities, too.

 Progressive Field in Cleveland may have come up with the best solution yet to the empty ballpark. Last year for the first time, the team converted the field into a vast winter playground. The Indians laid an ice track around the field for skaters and built a snow-tubing hill from the bleachers onto the outfield. “Snow Days” drew to downtown Cleveland last winter about 50,000 people who otherwise would have been bundled up at home. And because Progressive Field sits nestled in the city’s downtown (when it was constructed in the early 1990s, planners intentionally spurned surface parking lots), the event fed into the surrounding entertainment district and restaurants.

  Here's the article.

Marlins Ballpark Update

The new ballpark in Miami is starting to come together. It looks really small, at 37,000 people, but I think it will look good in the end...

...other than the home run celebration thing...

Yeah, every home run hit by the Marlins, this thing will go off a-la apple at Citi Field. Here's a youtube video. Yuck. Hopefully Mike Stanton does his thing on the road.

Extreme Sun Life Stadium Makover

So the Marlins are officially out of this stadium for good. After their entire history in a football stadium that just happens to fit baseball there, the Marlins will move to their new stadium. Everyone down there is excited, which makes me jealous, but it's still nice to look at.

Stadium Report Cards: Sun Life Stadium

Team: Sun Life Stadium
Location: Miami, FL
League: Major League Baseball(NL East)
Built: 1987
Capacity: 38,560(Baseball)
My event: Regular Season Game, vs New York Mets

1. Outdoor Design

I was somewhat surprised, they have a modern glass outside, with a south Florida beach vibe. From the outside, it really looks nice.
7/10

2. Indoor Design

When I walked in, I really was surprised. It seemed pretty cozy. But it wasn't AMAZING. The wall in left was pretty awkward, especially with the seats that you can't even go in. The seats also were more football orientated, and not angled.
5/10

3. Prices
I got a cheap ticket in the fish tank, which is the right field seats. The prices for drinks and food were high though.
6/10

4. Food
They had basic Ballpark food, and had a nice Latino menu.
6/10

5. Staff
I didn't have that much of a run in with them. The lady who I bought a drink from, lets just say, English wasn't her first language. However, the venders walking around were very cool. I liked that.
7/10

6. Cleanliness
One thing I noticed when walking to my seat was that the floors were pretty dirty. You think all the rain would wash it...
3/10

7. Parking
There was a lot of parking all around. We did get there early, but we parked close to the stadium, which is always good.
8/10

8. Atmosphere
This team has the worst attendance in the MLB. They closed off the upper deck for the rest of the season. On top of that, most people there were Mets fans. They did have a Cuban band playing that caused dancing.
3/10

9. Playing Surface
It was pretty good, i thought. Nothing bad. It was just kind of quirky, and there was parts that had, like, tarp or carpets in fair territory.
7/10

10. Scoreboard

There was two huge awesome video screens that had different information on each, on both ends of the stadium.
9/10

61, which really is a good score for this stadium. Their new stadium should be MUCH better.

MLB Summer Tour: Busch Stadium

Name: Matthew Call
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium:Busch Stadium

How many times a year do you make it to a game?:I usually try to get to a couple games a year, sometimes more. I attended 3 in 2010. This does not count the numerous games I have worked there as a visiting manager with SportService. I don't know for sure if you include those. I didn't get to really watch those games, but got to stop every now and then a see a few batters. Unfortunately, this was not the case during the 2009 All-Star Game. I was busy the entire time the game was going on. Same for the day before during the home run derby.

What is your favorite part of the ballpark?:
Probably now the view of the buildings and the arch. Having an open ballpark like it is now is perfect for St. Louis. Old Busch, after renovations, had a really nice outfield area considering it was an enclosed, multipurpose stadium. But seeing such a great view of downtown St. Louis is just amazing.

What makes the games special?:
The fans. I know some maybe sick of hearing it and may not agree, but St. Louis really does have the best fans in baseball. They have such a high respect and love for the game, that, coupled with the great history of the team, makes for such an amazing experience.

Favorite memory at the stadium?:
So many even though it's only 5 years old, but probably watching them win the World Series in 2006 was one of my personal highlights. I was working, but got to watch the final few batters and celebrate for a few minutes before me and some of my co-workers had to get back to work. We were then there working until 6:30 the next morning, but you would never know because of the adrenaline from having experienced that.

Second may be the first ever game there, an exhibition game between the Springfield Cardinals (where I worked) and the Memphis Redbirds. I was working it, my Dad was attending it. This is important to me because he was at the very first game at Busch II in 1966 and I worked the final game there in the 2005 playoffs. We were then both at the first game at the new one. It was special because as a family, and especially with my Dad, we have always been such huge Cardinals fans and have made many trips there. It's one of the reasons why the Cardinals are so important to me.

Picture of you:
Picture of you: Don't have one at the moment. I'll try and find one.

KC? I think so.

My Rays Stadium Gallery

I made my stadium on Google Sketch Up, and after many tweaks, here are some views of it.

This weekend

Guess where I'm going! It rhymes with Shun Shife Shtadium. Report card!

Rays Stadium Concept 2

Last year, I made a concept for the Rays' new stadium. I realized how much of an eye sore it was. Here it is.

Part 1. Retractable roof, which is one thing a new stadium would need. This field would have similarities to the Trop. The field is similar shaped. The new Batter's Eye Cafe will be moved back for a party deck. The deck will be the place where the sting ray touch tank is located. The bottom deck will run all the way around, and the upperdeck goes 3/4th of the way around. The part without the deck will be where the scoreboard and video screen would be located. Underneath the right field deck, would be offices for the Rays. The Bullpens won't be on the field anymore. The area with the TB logo would be a rotunda area. The Trop has one now, but in my head, I'm thinking glass all the way up.


Part 2. The stadium from home plate. The batters eye cafe located in center witha party deck and touch tank. The executive offices are located above the right field, lower deck, and under the upperdeck. The glass above the batters eye is glass that shows a view of Tampa Bay



Part 3. The location of the stadium, located in St. Pete, near Gandy Bridge, which would open up the Tampa Market, and shorten the drive by 20 minutes for places in Hillsborough, and North Pinellas. With parking exits connecting to the highways, making an easy exit after Rays wins.



Improvement over last time?