Al Lopez Ghost (old) Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 From Sat's Southtown: USCF's 40 million makeover calls for turning Chicago's ugliest ballpark into a baseball palace by opening 2005. To rid the stadium of its parking garage-like feel, a "homerun landing" will be added, along with new balconies on the lower sky boxes, a tiered viewing area atop the center filed fan deck and more seats around the last ring of the lower deck and behind home plate, according to an Illinois Sports Facilities Authority memo obtained by the Daily Southtown. Next season, fans will be greeted by a smaller, friendlier upper deck... The upper level's openair concourse will be enclosed, fashioned with decorative bricks similar to the lower deck walkways and concession areas. A new roof canopy and light system similar to those found in the original Comiskey park will be installed, offficials said. The plans obtained by the Southtown also show new amenities designed to provide fans a better view of the game from the elevated fan deck. "It's a very popular feature...but if someone is standing in front of you, you can't see. We're looking for a way to tier that," said Jerry Blakemore, the exec director of the ISFA.... Other renovations being completed this offseason include building new Sox offices, a TV truck building and storage area and new signs inside the stadium. ISFA...also is seeking cost estimates for a new sound system for the upper deck canopy and outfield seats, according to the 9/12 memo. Next year, balcony seating will be added to the lower suite sky boxes, giving those fans a chance to sit closer to the action. "We're adding the ability to have a party in a terrace room and have the option of sitting outside and watch the game in all the noise, or having a club level-like setting. Also during next year's offseason, the Sox and IFSA are considering stadium additions that include - building a home run landing. While the memo is unclear on the dimensions of this feature, sources indicate it would be a section of upper deck seats in right field; -filling in the umpire's tunnel behind home plate with new seats and adding a club for fans behind home plate; -converting unused suites into "activity areas"; -adding seating in the last row of the lower level. Sox spokesman Scott Reiffert cautioned that plans have not been finalized and could drastically change before it's time for construction work to begin....He said the Sox are planning a news conference later this month to formally announce this year's planned renovations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HighHeat45 Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 That is awesome, if that all comes true the sox definitly have one of the best parks in the league...it will also force the cubbies to demolish that piece of s*** they like to play in because the fans will be complaning that they will want a park like the sox have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 it will also force the cubbies to demolish that piece of s*** they like to play in because the fans will be complaning that they will want a park like the sox have. Let's not go nuts here....the sCrUBBIE fans will NEVER EVER admit that the "Friendly Confines" are outdated, antiquated and obsolete. It's their little Baseball Palace, obstructed view seats and all. They LOVE having to watch TV monitors in the back of the seating areas just to see what the hell happened on the field ( if they even care ). They LOVE the cramped concourse and the endless array of ramps and stairs. Wiggley Feel is the way baseball was MEANT to be viewed and experienced!!! The fact of the matter is, removing the ONLY bad seats in USCF automatically ends the discussion. USCF was ALREADY a better place to watch a baseball game then Chewing Gum Park. There is not ONE bad seat on the lower level, and all the renovations are simply adding exclamation points to the argument against the Urinal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 let's play TWO. Today. One month down, five to go until we play ball. Let's do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 it will also force the cubbies to demolish that piece of s*** they like to play in because the fans will be complaning that they will want a park like the sox have. Let's not go nuts here....the sCrUBBIE fans will NEVER EVER admit that the "Friendly Confines" are outdated, antiquated and obsolete. It's their little Baseball Palace, obstructed view seats and all. They LOVE having to watch TV monitors in the back of the seating areas just to see what the hell happened on the field ( if they even care ). They LOVE the cramped concourse and the endless array of ramps and stairs. Wiggley Feel is the way baseball was MEANT to be viewed and experienced!!! The fact of the matter is, removing the ONLY bad seats in USCF automatically ends the discussion. USCF was ALREADY a better place to watch a baseball game then Chewing Gum Park. There is not ONE bad seat on the lower level, and all the renovations are simply adding exclamation points to the argument against the Urinal. Don't forget either that guys like Moronotti will rip on USCF no matter what they do as long as the Unfriendly Confined still stands. I wish there was this much renovation being done to the team. You think MLB would be terribly upset if the White Sox sold advertising rights on their uniforms so the tight-wad would have no more excuses to NOT spend money ala Latin American and European Soccer teams ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 You think MLB would be terribly upset if the White Sox sold advertising rights on their uniforms so the tight-wad would have no more excuses to NOT spend money ala Latin American and European Soccer teams ? I am assuming this was meant in jest, however, for those that do not know, advertising on uniforms cannot be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 I am assuming this was meant in jest, however, for those that do not know, advertising on uniforms cannot be done. Yes..... it was. Considering the only way Jerry's Folley is getting rehabbed is by selling naming rights, it was a stab at JR selling the advertising rights of the White Sox by making their uniform jersey's look like NASCAR's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 1, 2003 Share Posted November 1, 2003 Sounds really cool. I'm definately gonna have to make it out this year for a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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