Bleacher Reconstruction Update - February 20

by Al on Feb 20, 2006 1:40 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

In these photos David took on Sunday afternoon, the biggest difference from my set taken Friday, is the appearance of a "back fence" on the left-field side, which will be behind the last row of seats. There still isn't anything more than a construction "fence" (two wires) on the back of the walkway yet.

This week, I'm not sure when the updates will be taken. On Thursday, my normal photo day, there will be long lines of people around the ballpark waiting for ticket wristbands. So we'll see.

The timeline has also been updated.

Top: looking north on Sheffield; looking east on Waveland; back fence pieces being assembled in LF; more back fence pieces being assembled

Middle: Good view of new wall on Waveland; behind CF, showing elevator shaft; another view of elevator shaft; wider view of CF area showing top of elevator

Bottom: New wall under construction on Sheffield side; underneath RF walkway; the "knothole"; full view of RF structure

Photos by David Sameshima

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Great pics, and..

thanks to you and David as always.

Just looking at it as it nears completion gives me one concern. When rain delays hit much of the crowd goes for shelter on the ramps or the lower level, and it can get very crowded. I don't see a significant increase in the size of covered space, but there will certainly be an increase in fans looking for cover.

I do realize that fans can now go to the main grandstand, but that gets packed as well.

by bison on Feb 21, 2006 2:52 PM CST 0 recs

That's a valid point...

... however, remember that the new walls are eight feet further out onto the sidewalk than the old, AND that fans will now be allowed in the area beneath both the RF and LF bleachers -- an area that used to be reserved for employees only.

That might make up for the space needed.

by Al on Feb 21, 2006 3:17 PM CST up 0 recs

The area...

taken up by the batting cages in right center also will be moving to the triangle building. The triangle building also will supply alot of space for people during rain delays

by stadiumguru on Feb 21, 2006 3:34 PM CST up 0 recs

Ah, but...

... the triangle building isn't going up this offseason. Where will the cages be until then?

by Al on Feb 21, 2006 3:39 PM CST up 0 recs

The cages are...

...going back where they were I think. The area that was only for employees and the extra 8 ft will help, untill we get alot more room next year.

by stadiumguru on Feb 21, 2006 4:12 PM CST up 0 recs

37 days?

Boy it seems like they still have a lot of work to do to be ready by opening day, getting everything inspected, etc.

by dirwuf on Feb 22, 2006 4:15 PM CST 0 recs

It's 39 days...

... till Opening Day in Cincinnati, 43 days till the home opener.

They'll make it.

by Al on Feb 22, 2006 4:22 PM CST up 0 recs

Saw it in person today

I went by Wrigley to get my wristband today (#11735) and got my first look at the construction.
You know what? I was disappointed.
Not at the amount of construction, or the progress that has been made, but seeing it LIVE and IN PERSON really did nothing whatsoever to add to what Al (and David) have already shown us with their thorough photologues.
So, in essence, I'm writing to commend Al, once again, for this service.
For those of you out of state or unable to get to Wrigley . . . if you have been keeping up with Al's updates here, you aren't missing ANYTHING.
(Although it was pretty cool to see the grass through the knothole.)

Two thoughts: I'm concerned that they're going to run some kind of fencing between the tall "flagpoles" on the Waveland (and presumably Sheffield) side. If the short, orange fence (pictured above) is it -- there will be more balls out on the streets, I think (the high chain-link will be gone.)
However, if they string up some high mesh or fencing, the balls out on the street will be WAY down. Anyway . . .

* Hey - I was thinking of starting a diary in which people could record their wristband numbers - so we could see who in our little community "wins" the lottery tomorrow. But I can't think of a wieldy (is that a word? Opposite of "unwieldy") way to do it, and I don't want the winning wristband to be begged by everyone to "just get me two".
So . . . GOOD LUCK ALL!

"Respect the game above all else." - Ryne Sandberg, July 31, 2005, Cooperstown, NY

by Tom on Feb 23, 2006 11:37 AM CST 0 recs