Archives: April 23-29, 2007
Sports world learns green is way to go
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Green long has been the color of sports because of the absurd amounts of money involved. Sports, though, can be a very wasteful endeavor, from the millions of gallons of water used to keep golf courses green and ski resorts wrapped in artificial snow to the thousands of miles teams fly on road trips. Or the mounds of paper used to produce media guides, news releases and box scores. Or the fertilizers that keep fields green while potentially contaminating groundwater. But a new shade of green rapidly is making its mark in the sporting world as teams, leagues and facility-owning municipalities answer the call to make a dent in the fight against global warming. Some are motivated by a desire to save the planet. Others see it as good PR or as a way to save money. Often, it’s a combination of the three. The new Nationals ballpark takes going green to another level. The D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission plans to make the ballpark the first major pro sports venue in the country to earn LEED certification — which means it has to accumulate at least 26 points on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scorecard compiled by the U.S. Green Building Council.
City, Mustangs watching ballpark plans
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The final chapter of Cobb Field’s colorful 59-year history begins June 22 when the Billings Mustangs host the Missoula Osprey in their home opener. Look for Cobb Field commemorative logos on players’ uniforms and plenty of special merchandise as baseball fans bid farewell to an aging icon. But Mustangs General Manager Gary Roller can’t help thinking ahead to 2008, when the Mustangs plan to christen a new $12.5 million ballpark that will replace Cobb Field. "From our standpoint, we’re concerned about the 2008 opener and whether the stadium is going to be done on time," Roller said. "The 2008 schedule won’t be put together until this fall, and we’ll stay on the road for the first eight to 10 days of the season. But at some point, we have to come home and play."
Spectator arrested at Shea Stadium for beaming Braves pitcher
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A none-too-bright Mets fan was busted after allegedly pointing a high-powered flashlight into the eyes of opposing players from the stands at Shea Stadium. Frank Martinez, 40, of The Bronx, was accused of blinding pitcher Tim Hudson from a seat behind home plate Friday night, using a small Streamline flashlight. Martinez also allegedly aimed the light at shortstop Edgar Renteria and second-base umpire Paul Emmel, who was forced to call a time out because he was rendered visually impaired, Queens DA Richard Brown said. Police charged him with interference with a professional sporting event and reckless endangerment. Former Bronx neighbors of Martinez, an exterminator, said the was thrown out of his Ericson Place apartment because of his Mets fanaticism.
Don’t miss city’s historic opportunity
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette comes out once again with an endorsement of a new downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League), saying the city has a unique chance to remake a moribund downtown with a hotel complex and ballpark. Says the editorialists: "Critics passionately argue for phantom alternatives. A water park. A skating rink. A fully enclosed multi-use arena. A development along the river. But where are the financing plans? Where are the developers willing to spend $5 million up front, as the Wizards owners will for the stadium, and $45 million more on building shops and housing? Critics offer a series of maybes. Mayor Richard offers a firm project with sound financing, committed developers and property in hand."
Reds envy Clearwater’s lively digs
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
By the time it was three years old, Ed Smith Stadium was already old-fashioned. Built for $8.5 million in 1989, the ballpark became obsolete by baseball standards in 1992, the year the Baltimore Orioles opened Oriole Park. An instant classic, the retro ballpark is credited with helping to launch a 15-year trend of sports teams demanding new and increasingly costly places to play. These fan-friendly ballparks can be attractions in themselves, boosting attendance and revenues with bigger concession stands, wider food offerings, spacious concourses, lawn seating and taverns overlooking the field, all aimed at encouraging fans to gladly open their wallets at the ballpark. The current model for the Reds: Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater.
Napoli is main man in Toledo pro sports
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the purchase of the Toledo Storm (ECHL) in anticipation of a new downtown arena, the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) are in the drivers’ seat when it comes to sports in that city. And the man in the center of it all: GM Joe Napoli. Our Dave Wright had a chance to speak with Napoli about the hockey plan; we’ll pass it along this week, but in the meantime here’s a look at Napoli from the Toledo Blade.
Fenway’s home run derby: Property owners swing for fences
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
How much is a tiny gas station next door to Fenway Park worth? According to one of its owners, Charlie Giannakopoulos, its true value is more than $10 million. The Shell station at the corner of Boylston and Ipswich streets is the latest piece of real estate to hit the sales block amid a wave of development remaking the neighborhood around the 1912 ballpark. The Giannakopoulos family, which owns the station, has been testing the market — hoping to cash in on a heated competition for property around Fenway Park between the Red Sox and high-powered condo developers, real estate executives said.
A mayor’s dream
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
All you ever wanted to know about how the Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) ended up in Holman Stadium as an Atlantic League team. Interestingly, the league was interested in using Holman Stadium as a neutral site until new ballparks came on line, but Nashua officials held out for their own team. (Thanks to John Cerone.)
Plans to revamp UM field in limbo
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ole Miss’ plans to expand Oxford-University Stadium have been thrown a curveball after athletic director Pete Boone learned last week the project will cost roughly $6 million more than anticipated. Ole Miss received bids from construction companies interested in renovating and expanding the ballpark. Instead of the $10 to $12 million estimated, construction firms placed bids in the range of $18 million. Ole Miss — along with Jackson-based architects Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons — unveiled plans that would include 880 club-level seats located between first and third base. Box seats will increase from 400 to 1,700.
‘The Box’ will soon become a parking lot
Posted April 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Alex Box, which opened in 1938 under another name and renamed after a fallen WW II hero and LSU alumnus named Alex Box in 1943, will be leveled after the 2008 baseball season. A new Alex Box is expected to open 200 yards south of the old one before the 2009 season. Work on the 8,400-seat, $30 million-plus facility should begin in June. Alex Box also happens to be prime Tiger Stadium football parking ground. There is much money to be made there beginning in the 2008 football season. Bertman plans to make the Box lot a motor home parking area, which is the most expensive parking pass at about $600 a season. A spot at the old Box directly across Nicholson from Tiger Stadium will run you about $800 a year in 2008.