Stadium solution......

[Black Diamond Cat]

I have read some concerns about the new Baseball stadium being built, and the impact that might have on hiring a new HC. I have the solution, at least for the near future...... Whitaker Bank Ballpark !
The stadium where the Lexington Legends play their home games seats 6,994 compared to the Cliff seating 3,000. The dimensions are 320 LF, 401 CF, and 318 RF. The record crowd at the park is 9,300 for the Roger Clemmons 'Relaunch' back in 2006.
There are some 'Quirks' that many fans seem to enjoy ie. the Pepsi Party Deck out past the RF fence, a family area down the 3B line with play areas for kids, it even has a restaurant along with 24 suites to be rented out. Of course alcohol is not permitted for sale by the Sec.
This could be a 1 or 2 year solution until the new stadium is ready. Any coach or recruit would be impressed by WBB. There are other precedents similar to ours, Alabama in 2015 played their home games at the Hoover Met, North Carolina played in a nearby minor league stadium while their stadium was being renovated. Additionally, UK has used this very ballpark in the past some 10, 11 years ago.

 

[Comebakatz3]

It could certainly be possible, but UK would need to break ground on the new stadium or knock down CHS first. You would get one and a half months without any issues because the minor league season doesn't start until April. However, in April you'd have to start getting a bit more creative with the schedule and work it out to where the SEC home games and the mid-week home games do not interfere with the Legends home games.

Also, I am not sure about the alcohol rule. We had it during the WKU football game in Nashville. It is possible that the rule says that you cannot have it at an SEC facility. However, the WKU may have been different because it was billed as a WKU home game rather than a home SEC game. Not sure, but it might be possible. I kind of like the idea, but only if we are already moving forward with the ball park being built.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

UK would lose all kinds of money if this were to happen simply because they would have to pay to rent out the ballpark.

 

[Tskware]

They talked about this years ago, and UK was never interested, for one thing they are fixated on an on campus facility, doubt they are any more interested now.

(Of course, UK has never had a problem with a basketball arena on Broadway, I guess baseball is different)

 

[AgesBlue]

I have read some concerns about the new Baseball stadium being built, and the impact that might have on hiring a new HC. I have the solution, at least for the near future...... Whitaker Bank Ballpark !
The stadium where the Lexington Legends play their home games seats 6,994 compared to the Cliff seating 3,000. The dimensions are 320 LF, 401 CF, and 318 RF. The record crowd at the park is 9,300 for the Roger Clemmons 'Relaunch' back in 2006.
There are some 'Quirks' that many fans seem to enjoy ie. the Pepsi Party Deck out past the RF fence, a family area down the 3B line with play areas for kids, it even has a restaurant along with 24 suites to be rented out. Of course alcohol is not permitted for sale by the Sec.
This could be a 1 or 2 year solution until the new stadium is ready. Any coach or recruit would be impressed by WBB. There are other precedents similar to ours, Alabama in 2015 played their home games at the Hoover Met, North Carolina played in a nearby minor league stadium while their stadium was being renovated. Additionally, UK has used this very ballpark in the past some 10, 11 years ago.

BRAVO ! Fine idea, would need to make the schedule early so the Legends could work with and around it. The Legends have always been very open to working with UK. Like was posted earlier, UK has played games there in the past. As far as losing money, maybe but it would also mean larger crowds if the baseball program took off with the new Coach... 6,000 greater than 3,000 at the Cliff.
Also, if UK were good enough to host a regional, there would be much better chance in the WBB, than at CHS, larger capacity, more ammenities etc. I know this is wishful thinking, but one never knows !

 

[Comebakatz3]

UK would lose all kinds of money if this were to happen simply because they would have to pay to rent out the ballpark.

Well, it all depends on how you structure it. I would be willing to pay rent to them if they are willing to advertise UK baseball. Plus, you could make some sort of arrangement with them on groundskeepers and things like that. Also, you could offer them a portion of the gate, or all of the gate from UK games and that could offset some of the rent.

Also, this would just be temporary until the new one could be built. It isn't necessary to do things this way, but I would think that it would be better and would push the powers that be to get UK out of Whitaker and into their own stadium sooner.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Well, it all depends on how you structure it. I would be willing to pay rent to them if they are willing to advertise UK baseball. Plus, you could make some sort of arrangement with them on groundskeepers and things like that. Also, you could offer them a portion of the gate, or all of the gate from UK games and that could offset some of the rent.

Also, this would just be temporary until the new one could be built. It isn't necessary to do things this way, but I would think that it would be better and would push the powers that be to get UK out of Whitaker and into their own stadium sooner.

Yes, this is a Temporary solution, maybe a couple of seasons, until the new stadium is built. There are ways to do it, I mean Hoover is 45-50 minutes from Tuscaloosa, this is only across town, 15 minutes or so.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Just thought about it... you could also see if you could sell UK merchandise in their store. Not sure what kind of complications this might have, but you could offer them a percentage of the sales of UK gear. Then, the great thing would be that you'd have UK baseball gear for sale in a minor league baseball park during Lexington Legends games. Of course, the Legends may balk at that idea, but it would definitely be a great way for UK to advertise their baseball team for free.

You could also make a whole lot of new fans for UK. Many fans might not think about going to a UK game, but they might think about the Legends. Legends are probably more visible, plus they likely have a lot more events for larger groups. Some people might attend a UK game there just because of accessibility and then their kids have a good time going to the playground and they might end up really loving UK baseball and becoming fans. I think it is almost a no-lose situation. Keep CHS while you build the new stadium and the guys can practice there, but play at Whitaker Bank.

 

[AgesBlue]

I have never been to a game at Whitaker Ballpark, how is parking, have been to the Cliff many times, always got there early, so parking was not an issue.
This could open up a new avenue for UK baseball fans. I am guessing it is pretty easy access to most every direction N,S, E,and W.

 

[warrior_SW]

It could certainly be possible, but UK would need to break ground on the new stadium or knock down CHS first. You would get one and a half months without any issues because the minor league season doesn't start until April. However, in April you'd have to start getting a bit more creative with the schedule and work it out to where the SEC home games and the mid-week home games do not interfere with the Legends home games.

Also, I am not sure about the alcohol rule. We had it during the WKU football game in Nashville. It is possible that the rule says that you cannot have it at an SEC facility. However, the WKU may have been different because it was billed as a WKU home game rather than a home SEC game. Not sure, but it might be possible. I kind of like the idea, but only if we are already moving forward with the ball park being built.

You answered your own question. The game at LP was a WKU home game.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

They talked about this years ago, and UK was never interested, for one thing they are fixated on an on campus facility, doubt they are any more interested now.

(Of course, UK has never had a problem with a basketball arena on Broadway, I guess baseball is different)

I think he means to only use it while a new on campus stadium is under construction not as a permanent venue. Have to imagine that would be an easier sell to UK.