The Best Thing about the WBC

If it weren't for the WBC, we'd be starting the season this week. With the snow throughout the Midwest, we'd more than likely be having to re-schedule games. This would have been the second year in a row. Perhaps MLB should consider later starts from now on?

almost 3 years ago jerry morales rules 14 comments 0 recs |

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Good thing the Twins' new stadium doesn't have a roof!

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 29, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

That has to be the dumbest decision made on stadium construction yet.

There’s no way they should build a new stadium in the Minneapolis area without a retractable roof. They are doomed to a lot of very cold night games in April and May.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I respectfully disagree...

That is was a dumb decision. The weather here is too unpredictable to say every year in early April we are screwed, it was 65 degrees 2 weeks ago. I understand the sense in having a roof, given the unpredictable weather, but I have also sat in the Metrodome at least 20 times for the last 17 years and dreamed of the day we’d have an open air stadium. That being said, I’d rather sit in 40 degree weather and watch a game in April than to ever have to enter that mausoleum we currently call a baseball stadium ever again.

A retractable roof wasn’t in the budget, it would have been shot down by the legislature if they had proposed it. Frankly places like Miller Park feel more like football stadiums in the sense that you are inside, even when you are outside.

I also hate the argument that people from northern Iowa or the Dakota’s that come out to games won’t buy tickets because they will be worried about inclement weather canceling games. Well guess what, The other 2 million residents and I of Hennepin County are paying for the stadium so too bad…(in all seriousness though, I’m praying for Fargo, I hope they come out of this flood okay).

That being said, I LOVE the fact that it is an open air stadium, with no retractable roof. I realize to some this is nonsense, but how many of those people have had to endure 17+ years with such a horrid baseball stadium?

by jbertram on Mar 29, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you re: the Metrodome...

… and shutting out all the nice summer weather in Minnesota.

But bad weather in April and May is going to depress attendance. Maybe YOU like 40 degree weather for baseball in April, but I suspect you’re in the minority.

They should have pushed for a retractable roof. I’ve been at Miller Park when the roof is open and you don’t get the feeling of being inside at all.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

same in Houston

when it is open it is a complete different feeling than when the roof is closed

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 30, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

To me...

Miller park feels like a football stadium, but maybe thats just me. I also have a problem with retractable roofs in that they don’t always work. I’ve been to Milwaukee multiple times and on occasion we’ve had a closed roof on a 75 degree day.

by jbertram on Mar 30, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Perhaps because there was a forecast of rain?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 30, 2009 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm from Minnesota.

Some of the worst storms in Minnesota have come in March and April. The weather in Minny is significantly colder; just pulling info from Wikipedia, the Twin Cities/Milwaukee/Chicago average temperatures in March is 32/43/46, and in April, 47/54/58. It’s ridiculous to build a $522,000,000+ stadium without a roof, that renders it effectively useless in 5/12 months of the year when weather is at or below freezing temperatures. I believe only Seattle and Toronto are more north than the Twin Cities (perhaps Boston or NYC?), but neither are nearly as cold as Minnesota.

This is going to be a big deal when bad weather hits and teams have to make up games with the Twins. I see a log-jam of games come September every few years.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 29, 2009 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd.

Exactly what I’ve been thinking, and I’m not from there.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Also rec'd.

I truly think a retractable roof is an effective compromise. And it avoids some “makeup” games late in the season. Win/win.

"I lof to hit de home ron!"

by Tekboy on Mar 29, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions

rec'd

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 30, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Look,

I have lived here for all of my 26 years, and I know the weather as well. They played outside from 61-82 (or whenever the Dome opened), has the weather really changed that much in the last 30 years? I realize as well as everyone else the weather is unpredictable, but you said it, a 522M dollar stadium. There is no way the state was going to pass the bill if it included another 150M or whatever it costs for a roof.

The reason they built the dome (inside) was not completely to have baseball indoors, they wanted a mutipurpose stadium for use for both teams. It was the state being cheap as they always have been with professional sports. (All the while willing to hand out welfare to anyone with a pulse, but I digress)

Like it (as I do) or not, it’s happening (thank god).

by jbertram on Mar 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions