New Baseball Stadium Question

[mark0202]

I'm going to feel silly for asking, I'm sure this has been asked a few time before and I cannot seem to locate the answer. Out in Center Field, there's some kind of something another being erected. I know its not the scoreboard because the scoreboard is out beyond the Right Field fence. Any ideas?

 

[Tskware]

I thought it was a giant videoboard/scoreboard. But not sure.

One thing they must be doing is distributing the gigantic pile of dirt behind the outfield fence. I assume they are going to have some kind of berm, but it is way too massive right now. I also understood they were going to keep the centerfield "party deck" like at the Cliff . . . but alas they are going to restrict access, i.e., no alcohol.

 

[Comebakatz3]

It's probably the batter's eye. Gives a neutral background for hitters to pick up the spin off the ball.

 

[bigbluegrog]

It's probably the batter's eye. Gives a neutral background for hitters to pick up the spin off the ball.

This is correct. And by looking at the supports for the scoreboard, it looks like it is going to be HUUUGE! Cant wait until they offer tours to the season ticket holders.

 

[Comebakatz3]

This is correct. And by looking at the supports for the scoreboard, it looks like it is going to be HUUUGE! Cant wait until they offer tours to the season ticket holders.

I heard the team and parents got a tour a couple weeks ago. Not sure what their impressions were. Surely tours for season ticket holders will be coming soon.

 

[RogerIndy]

Is there going to be a Big Blue Monster? And if so, are they going to move the sign from the CHS?

 

[Comebakatz3]

Is there going to be a Big Blue Monster? And if so, are they going to move the sign from the CHS?

I don't believe there is going to be one. Shouldn't need one with a fence that's a bit more reasonable.

 

[Kybluedude]

I thought it was a giant videoboard/scoreboard. But not sure.

One thing they must be doing is distributing the gigantic pile of dirt behind the outfield fence. I assume they are going to have some kind of berm, but it is way too massive right now. I also understood they were going to keep the centerfield "party deck" like at the Cliff . . . but alas they are going to restrict access, i.e., no alcohol.

not going to allow beer to be on the deck. Big mistake. The students love that and it’s a major draw. Why change what is working? That deck’s attraction is in a large part allowing coolers.

 

[bigbluegrog]

not going to allow beer to be on the deck. Big mistake. The students love that and it’s a major draw. Why change what is working? That deck’s attraction is in a large part allowing coolers.

I agree. They need to do all they can to get/keep the students involved. They need to figure out a way to keep that a part of the new stadium IMO.

 

[Comebakatz3]

not going to allow beer to be on the deck. Big mistake. The students love that and it’s a major draw. Why change what is working? That deck’s attraction is in a large part allowing coolers.

I imagine that they will turn the blind eye pretty quickly.

 

[chill133]

I heard the team and parents got a tour a couple weeks ago. Not sure what their impressions were. Surely tours for season ticket holders will be coming soon.

They are not allowing the team to tour, they want it to be a complete surprise for them when they return to campus.

 

[Comebakatz3]

They are not allowing the team to tour, they want it to be a complete surprise for them when they return to campus.

Ahh, that's pretty cool.

 

[Tskware]

One of the last games I went to, there was some discussion in our section of a proposal floating around in the SEC to allow beer sales at sporting events. We already do at Commonwealth Stadium, in the boxes and private section in the middle. With declining ticket sales, and ever increasing costs, it may be time to recognize the revenue stream, like they do at UL, UC and lots of other schools.

 

[sluggercatfan]

One of the last games I went to, there was some discussion in our section of a proposal floating around in the SEC to allow beer sales at sporting events. We already do at Commonwealth Stadium, in the boxes and private section in the middle. With declining ticket sales, and ever increasing costs, it may be time to recognize the revenue stream, like they do at UL, UC and lots of other schools.

Go to aU6 bb game...you'll change your mind.

 

[cat_in_the_hat]

I can't help but wonder if we should have built it with more permanent seating than we did. I know the berm allows for additional places to sit, but I personally don't really want to sit on the berm. I want a chair to sit in. I don't think the number of chairs are significantly different than the number at the Cliff. Hopefully, the stadium was designed to be expanded. If we consistently have good teams, I think they will need more chairs.

One thing they did was build it so temporary bleachers can be added to the outfield, which brings the seating capacity for regional games up to 7,000. I think that was a very smart move.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I can't help but wonder if we should have built it with more permanent seating than we did. I know the berm allows for additional places to sit, but I personally don't really want to sit on the berm. I want a chair to sit in. I don't think the number of chairs are significantly different than the number at the Cliff. Hopefully, the stadium was designed to be expanded. If we consistently have good teams, I think they will need more chairs.

One thing they did was build it so temporary bleachers can be added to the outfield, which brings the seating capacity for regional games up to 7,000. I think that was a very smart move.

I agree completely ...permanent seating should have been a least 4k with the ability to seat 7 k+. Sat on the berm at UK/u6 game last year and didn't like it at all . Hopefully if the team keeps progressing to be a constant contender it has been designed to a few K seating.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Probably could have used more, but the key is whether or not this can be expanded. I don't know if it can, but surely the berm can be taken out for additional seating. Still, berms are pretty popular with a lot of stadiums, and I suppose with families who have kids running around.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Probaly could only be comfortable in berm seating from mid April and May, awfully cold late winters and early spring time in Kentucky. You can get some occasional warm days in March, but they are usually few and far between.

 

[Tskware]

Go to aU6 bb game...you'll change your mind.

I have been to plenty of football games at UL and UC both, and really can only remember one or two incidents. Certainly no more, if as many, as I have seen at CWS, where booze is not sold. But alcohol at college games is one of those issues upon which reasonable people can disagree.

 

[DubyaT]

Looking at renderings and the construction camera available online (linked below), it appears that there will be an area along both the third and first baselines (extending from approximately the edge of the outfield grass to just past the middle of the outfield that will not be a berm, per se. Instead, it will be a terraced area so that fans can bring tailgating chairs and set them up on any particular level, which would likely be appealing to some fans.

I sat in a similar terraced area at an LSU @ Ole Miss game several years ago out in left field at Ole Miss' park, and it was a great time. Of course, at Ole Miss, where they have the whole baseball atmosphere figured out, that is set up in such a manner so that fans can bring their own coolers in and be able to sit out there and drink beer. The area was packed and lively (over 10k fans there that day). They also have a VERY lively student area in right field (believe Bama now has something similar).

And as others allude to in this thread, if UK wants to continue to enjoy large and lively student crowds for home games when the weather is cooperative, UK will need to have an area with unrestricted access or otherwise get creative to allow (or turn a blind eye to those who are not being idiots or being a danger) students to bring beer. This is not rocket science. Has been pretty cool to see UK get good crowds and create a very good atmosphere at baseball games.

For those who have not seen the construction camera, the following link should allow you to access same:
http://www.earthcam.net/projects/uky/

 

[sluggercatfan]

Looking at renderings and the construction camera available online (linked below), it appears that there will be an area along both the third and first baselines (extending from approximately the edge of the outfield grass to just past the middle of the outfield that will not be a berm, per se. Instead, it will be a terraced area so that fans can bring tailgating chairs and set them up on any particular level, which would likely be appealing to some fans.

I sat in a similar terraced area at an LSU @ Ole Miss game several years ago out in left field at Ole Miss' park, and it was a great time. Of course, at Ole Miss, where they have the whole baseball atmosphere figured out, that is set up in such a manner so that fans can bring their own coolers in and be able to sit out there and drink beer. The area was packed and lively (over 10k fans there that day). They also have a VERY lively student area in right field (believe Bama now has something similar).

And as others allude to in this thread, if UK wants to continue to enjoy large and lively student crowds for home games when the weather is cooperative, UK will need to have an area with unrestricted access or otherwise get creative to allow (or turn a blind eye to those who are not being idiots or being a danger) students to bring beer. This is not rocket science. Has been pretty cool to see UK get good crowds and create a very good atmosphere at baseball games.

For those who have not seen the construction camera, the following link should allow you to access same:
http://www.earthcam.net/projects/uky/

I probably should know, but does anyone know what the completion date of the stadium project is.

 

[mark0202]

This is correct. And by looking at the supports for the scoreboard, it looks like it is going to be HUUUGE! Cant wait until they offer tours to the season ticket holders.

Thanks guys. I didn’t think about the baseball eye. I agree with those who have concerns for only 2500 chairback seats. After $40+ million dollars, Kentucky is planning on where they are and not where they should plan to be. The average SEC baseball stadiums are 4000. Just a little odd for that amount of money.

 

[CliffDweller25]

I probably should know, but does anyone know what the completion date of the stadium project is.

Supposed to move in by August.

 

[mark0202]

Supposed to move in by August.

Really, that soon? they have a lot done but looks like a great deal left to do...

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

I believe the NCAA has ruled that teams can play 2 or 3 games against other schools during fall practice. Softball has been doing this for about 3 years now. I think this is a great idea, and should only help each team going forward !

 

[bigbluegrog]

Really, that soon? they have a lot done but looks like a great deal left to do...

But the hard parts are mostly done....looks like they are starting to get the playing surface ready for the inevitable turf. I do wish they were keeping it grass but I do understand the reasons for putting down sports turf.

 

[Comebakatz3]

But the hard parts are mostly done....looks like they are starting to get the playing surface ready for the inevitable turf. I do wish they were keeping it grass but I do understand the reasons for putting down sports turf.

It's the dirt that I'll miss. Gotta get dirty in baseball

 

[ukgolfnut1]

if I could spell stadium the first time, it would help. Sorry...

 

[Old_Red]

if I could spell stadium the first time, it would help. Sorry...

There is a way to edit the title. Problem is I never remember how to do it and have to find it by finding a thread I created and trying to figure it out. Seems like it is a pulldown that shows up only when you have created a thread.

Edit: open the thread, then look above and to the right side of the first post. You'll see a little wrench that opens a pulldown that lets you either edit the title or add a poll.

 

[sluggercatfan]

It's the dirt that I'll miss. Gotta get dirty in baseball

Agree...there should be a bylaw for new stadiums. HP, PM and areas around bases should be dirt for sliding. No ifs ands or butts. The rest I can live with. This is baseballgetting dirty is part of the game.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Agree...there should be a bylaw for new stadiums. HP, PM and areas around bases should be dirt for sliding. No ifs ands or butts. The rest I can live with. This is baseballgetting dirty is part of the game.

"Well, I believe in the soul... the c...the p... the small of a woman's back... the hangin' curveball... high fiber... good scotch... that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent overrated crap... I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Goodnight."

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Agree...there should be a bylaw for new stadiums. HP, PM and areas around bases should be dirt for sliding. No ifs ands or butts. The rest I can live with. This is baseballgetting dirty is part of the game.

I remember the old Riverfront stadium in Cincy had dirt around the bases and HP.

 

[mark0202]

There is a way to edit the title. Problem is I never remember how to do it and have to find it by finding a thread I created and trying to figure it out. Seems like it is a pulldown that shows up only when you have created a thread.

Edit: open the thread, then look above and to the right side of the first post. You'll see a little wrench that opens a pulldown that lets you either edit the title or add a poll.

Thank you..I found it.

 

[RogerIndy]

"Well, I believe in the soul... the c...the p... the small of a woman's back... the hangin' curveball... high fiber... good scotch... that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent overrated crap... I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Goodnight."

I pretty much agree with all of this except I like the DH.