I had seen it numerous times on TV, but was not prepared for how large and dominating the "new" centerfield stands are. They have been called Mount Davis by their detractors. They were constructed by the Coliseum Commission to lure the Raiders football team back from Los Angeles. The Raiders are run by Al Davis, an icon and football legend in his time, but in my opinion, time has passed him by.
Well, Mount Davis has turned the Coliseum from a decent baseball stadium into a marginal football stadium. Baseball in this place now seems to be lost in a huge hole. But the A's persevere, and do quite well, despite the circumstances.
A few things were still the same, even after twelve years, and new owners and management. I was always impressed with the A's marketing strategies. During the glory years of the late '80's, they brought out the white elephant logo, a nod towards their early history in Philadelphia. Last year, it was "A's brand" baseball.
A familiar voice also greeted me at the 'Net. Roy Steele, the Public Address Announcer. His deep, friendly voice and dry sense of humor always added to my experience, and he is still my favorite ballpark voice, (followed closely by the beer guy at Harbor Park!) I always enjoyed the small touch of irreverence at the Coliseum. It just seemed like the A's never took themselves over-seriously.
A couple of other notes: I ran out of camera battery here, so my pix are lacking a little; and met the hot dog I couldn't finish. It was massive- probably a pound- and in this tough, italian roll that should have been holding a large Philly cheesesteak. I got through almost half, and gave up!
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
At the 'Net- Old Haunts
My last day of this trip to California was "Old Haunts Day" in the East Bay. I started out in the west end of Alameda, my home for four years. I took a walk along San Francisco Bay, my old commute route, and drove around the now closed Naval Air Station. I checked out the old apartments, and a nice breakfast joint on Webster Street. I made a quick trip to Berkeley to wander around the UC campus, and finally on BART to the Coliseum for an evening game between the A's and Red Sox.
For four and a half seasons, I had the pleasure of watching one of the most interesting and exciting baseball teams of the past 50 years- the A's of the late '80's. I saw Canseco and McGwire in their rookie years, as well as Weiss and Steinbach. Carney Lansford at third, Welch and Stewart on the mound, and Eckersley out of the bullpen. It certainly was fun at the ballpark!
The Coliseum was a pretty nice ballpark for what it was- a round multi-purpose stadium. The outfield was open, with a view of the Oakland hills above the bleachers. The seats were a little far from the foul lines, and it was very cookie-cutterish, but it was ten times better than that abomination across the bay called Candlestick.
Then I moved away, and Oakland's obsession with the Raiders ruined a nice park.
For four and a half seasons, I had the pleasure of watching one of the most interesting and exciting baseball teams of the past 50 years- the A's of the late '80's. I saw Canseco and McGwire in their rookie years, as well as Weiss and Steinbach. Carney Lansford at third, Welch and Stewart on the mound, and Eckersley out of the bullpen. It certainly was fun at the ballpark!
The Coliseum was a pretty nice ballpark for what it was- a round multi-purpose stadium. The outfield was open, with a view of the Oakland hills above the bleachers. The seats were a little far from the foul lines, and it was very cookie-cutterish, but it was ten times better than that abomination across the bay called Candlestick.
Then I moved away, and Oakland's obsession with the Raiders ruined a nice park.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
PETCO: More Angles
Here's another look at some of the angles in Petco Park. You also can see the many uses of the Western Metal Supply Building. No one seating area seems to be a standard rectangle. Angles, angles, angles!
Most ballparks have one contiguous grandstand that surrounds a good portion of the field more or less. In Petco, the stands are broken up by the building, and two huge towers along both foul lines. Of course, the concourses link everything together.
I enjoyed my visit to Petco Park. This is a fun place to explore, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to stick your head into. Once in the seating bowl, the game is king, but take a little walk, and you are in for a treat!
Most ballparks have one contiguous grandstand that surrounds a good portion of the field more or less. In Petco, the stands are broken up by the building, and two huge towers along both foul lines. Of course, the concourses link everything together.
I enjoyed my visit to Petco Park. This is a fun place to explore, and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to stick your head into. Once in the seating bowl, the game is king, but take a little walk, and you are in for a treat!
PETCO: Angles on the Concourse
The one word that stuck in my mind during my visit to Petco Park was "angles." It seemed like everywhere I looked there were interesting angles, and I spent most of my picture taking energy trying to capture some of them.
The structural steel work at Petco is unique, and dare I say- a little whimsical. No up-down-left-right here! Beams go every which way, and to an engineer like myself, an intriguing design element. The steel has been arranged to make wide, open concourses. Even at the end of the game, it never seemed too cramped.
The structural steel work at Petco is unique, and dare I say- a little whimsical. No up-down-left-right here! Beams go every which way, and to an engineer like myself, an intriguing design element. The steel has been arranged to make wide, open concourses. Even at the end of the game, it never seemed too cramped.
PETCO: From the Berm
Petco Park is unique among ballparks for many reasons, two of which I'll discuss here. It has probably the largest open area outside the stadium portion that is still within the gates of the park. The "Park within the Park" is city-block-sized, and consists of a berm, a small diamond, and general open space. It is in center field, behind the batters eye screen. The Padres sell general admission tickets to this area, and it is a great deal for families on a budget. Spread out the blanket on the berm and enjoy the game from DEEP right-center. Note the video screen for the folks on their blankets- a nice touch!
Also in this picture, you get a nice look at the Western Metal Supply Building. Like Camden Yards in Baltimore, this building was incorporated into the design of the ballpark. The building houses a souvenir store on the first floor, and various clubs and suites on subsequent floors. A set of bleachers is perched on top of the building, and is available for larger groups. The building forms part of the outfield wall, and is a fun part of the park.
Also in this picture, you get a nice look at the Western Metal Supply Building. Like Camden Yards in Baltimore, this building was incorporated into the design of the ballpark. The building houses a souvenir store on the first floor, and various clubs and suites on subsequent floors. A set of bleachers is perched on top of the building, and is available for larger groups. The building forms part of the outfield wall, and is a fun part of the park.
PETCO: From the Outside
This is the view of Petco Park from near the 12th and Imperial trolley station. I did Petco in a day trip from Oakland. Flights on Southwest Airlines are about 90 minutes non-stop between the two airports. There is convenient and frequent bus service from San Diego Airport to the Santa Fe depot, where the trolley is caught to the ballpark.
The ballpark is on the southern edge of downtown and the Gaslamp District. A hotel is nearby, and the convention center is a couple of blocks away. The seedlings of a ballpark neighborhood are in place, and judging by the number of construction cranes in the vicinity, things will be quite active before long.
Aside from the parking lot, the exterior of the park is very inviting, and certainly unique. It is VERY San Diego! Unlike SBC Park or many others, the outside is broken up into individual elements that don't necessarily look like a ballpark. It isn't until you see the seats of the upper deck that you can sense a traditional ballpark look. Note the lack of brick. You won't find that much brick in San Diego either.
The ballpark is on the southern edge of downtown and the Gaslamp District. A hotel is nearby, and the convention center is a couple of blocks away. The seedlings of a ballpark neighborhood are in place, and judging by the number of construction cranes in the vicinity, things will be quite active before long.
Aside from the parking lot, the exterior of the park is very inviting, and certainly unique. It is VERY San Diego! Unlike SBC Park or many others, the outside is broken up into individual elements that don't necessarily look like a ballpark. It isn't until you see the seats of the upper deck that you can sense a traditional ballpark look. Note the lack of brick. You won't find that much brick in San Diego either.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
The King of Baseball
Life begins on opening day. Last night was my 12th straight opening night with the Norfolk Tides. It wasn't the best night for it, with 40-40 weather. That's both temperature AND wind in the 40's! But the Tides beat the Indianapolis Indians 11-1, and baseball season finally started at MY ballpark.
Before the game, the Tides honored Dave Rosenfield, who was celebrating his 50th opening night in the front office, 44 of them as the Tides General Manager. He has been honored as minor league executive of the year a few times, has been vice president of the international league for a number of years, and is almost single-handedly responsible for the current state of baseball in the Tidewater area. That's good, by the way. He was also named "King of Baseball" by his peers at the last winter meetings.
Former Tides, such as Bobby Valentine, Clint Hurdle, Matt Franco and Marty Brennaman sent their video wishes. Brennaman, the hall of fame broadcaster for the Cincinnatti Reds, got his big break with the Tides, and was recommended by "Rosie" to the Reds a year later. Fellow GM's appeared in person to pay tribute to their mentor and friend.
One of the biggest tributes to Dave Rosenfield is Harbor Park itself. One of the first, and still one of the finest "new" minor league ballpark has his stamp all over it. Innovations in Harbor Park were copied all over baseball. Thanks to Rosie, the Tides are one of the most successful franchises in Minor League Baseball, both in fan support, and in the bottom line.
50 years and still going! Rosenfield has no intentions of retiring anytime soon. His legend will only grow, and the fans of Norfolk will continue to reap the benefits.
Before the game, the Tides honored Dave Rosenfield, who was celebrating his 50th opening night in the front office, 44 of them as the Tides General Manager. He has been honored as minor league executive of the year a few times, has been vice president of the international league for a number of years, and is almost single-handedly responsible for the current state of baseball in the Tidewater area. That's good, by the way. He was also named "King of Baseball" by his peers at the last winter meetings.
Former Tides, such as Bobby Valentine, Clint Hurdle, Matt Franco and Marty Brennaman sent their video wishes. Brennaman, the hall of fame broadcaster for the Cincinnatti Reds, got his big break with the Tides, and was recommended by "Rosie" to the Reds a year later. Fellow GM's appeared in person to pay tribute to their mentor and friend.
One of the biggest tributes to Dave Rosenfield is Harbor Park itself. One of the first, and still one of the finest "new" minor league ballpark has his stamp all over it. Innovations in Harbor Park were copied all over baseball. Thanks to Rosie, the Tides are one of the most successful franchises in Minor League Baseball, both in fan support, and in the bottom line.
50 years and still going! Rosenfield has no intentions of retiring anytime soon. His legend will only grow, and the fans of Norfolk will continue to reap the benefits.
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