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Is there anything that touches Wrigley and doesn't fail miserably?
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 10:30 AM CST reply actions
The Pittsburgh Pirates.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Rookie opposing pitchers and opposing pitchers with ERAs over 5 ?
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Wow, this is embarassing
They didn’t lock this down beforehand? How silly.
Somebody should be fired for this.
More great publicity for the Ricketts family.
Please
Don’t even try to land this on the Cubs or Ricketts. All the NCAA football people walked through this last spring. Their call, their responsibility to figure it out.
Broadcasters were even touting the goal post mounted to the outfield wall – “field goals may land on a rooftop!”
This did not just change this week. This is all on NU and/or the NCAA.
Dick Butkus is laughing at these wimps.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
I think you're misunderstanding me
Not saying anyone on the Cub or Ricketts end should be fired.
And even though it’s not their responsibility, it still looks bad for them, IMHO. You don’t think this looks a little chintzy?
The NCAA fouls everything it touches, so it’s no surprise.
The NCAA fouls everything it touches, so it’s no surprise.
Yeah, the NCAA is being really unreasonable here. There’s a wall directly adjacent to the back of an end zone, and they’re concerned will be injured? Where do they come up with this stuff?
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
*concerned people will be injured
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 10:57 AM CST up reply actions
The timing is the issue
Did they just learn this today? The field renderings have been public for a while and I’m sure the NCAA either saw them or had access to them long before that.
It wasn't the NCAA that made this decision
It was the Big Ten in conjunction with Northwestern and Illinois.
by Josh Timmers on Nov 19, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
I have to ask ...
Why Palmerston and not Gladstone?
by jerry morales rules on Nov 19, 2010 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
It's not like they didn't sign off on this already.
These are the people that brought you the BCS. Obviously, they know their business.
(OK, to make sure — sarcasm font)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 19, 2010 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
The comments above are, in my opinion, ridiculous.
What’s “fail” about this? They’re still playing the game. Yes, maybe they should have done this ahead of time. Fired? Bad publicity? Not at all.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This doesn't make sense.
Yes, maybe they should have done this ahead of time.
What’s “this,” exactly? Build a safe football field? I agree. They should have built a safe football field before they decided it would be unsafe to have a football field in a stadium that’s too small.
This is an absolute joke that reflects upon everyone involved. You can’t possibly think this is not a big deal.
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 10:46 AM CST up reply actions
Why is it a big deal?
How does it change the way the game is played?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
...
Because football isn’t played this way?
Is the game also make-it-take-it? Do losers walk after a touchdown?
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Seriously, what difference does it make?
So they reset the ball on the other end of the field after a change of possession. How does that affect the game?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Both teams are already sharing one sideline.
Are they going to switch that around too? Or will one team always be at least 50 yards from the end zone?
This is a dismal fail by ALL parties involved, not just the Cubs.
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
Tell that to the folks sitting in the right field bleachers
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
this i where i agree its unfortunate
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
It's definitely losers walk.
Schoolyard ball.
I have a feeling that this will be the last football game in Wrigley for a long, long time.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
but who is the all time QB?
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
it changes the decision making on the coin toss.
and its gonna make the game drag cause you are gonna have to switch sides of the field after punts.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
Well, there's TV timeouts anyway, after changes of possesion...
…that usually last a couple minutes. I’m pretty sure they can be ready to go by the time those end. As far as the coin toss…that’s usually decided by which way the wind is blowing anyway. Choose the wind or to receive…still pretty basic.
It’s still FUBAR no matter how it plays out, tho.
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
Okay, you're just being a Cubs' homer here, Al, com'on.
This is a huge huge failure. How could you not worry about this months ago? Talk about a disaster.
Maybe we should invest $400M into the stadium?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
When you CAN'T PLAY THE SPORT HOW IT'S MEANT TO BE PLAYED,
it’s a disaster.
If you’re missing the bases in a baseball game, that’s a disaster of a game.
If you only have ONE BASKETBALL HOOP, that’s a disaster of a game.
If you forgot the track for the track & field event, that’s a disaster of an event.
Yes. Disaster. Stop arguing semantics.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2010 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I guess that means playing "Right Field Out" is no longer an option...
…if we sign Dunn after trading for AGonz.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yeah, bummer
It is too bad, I was kind of hoping that they would also make both teams kick field goals out of the RF uprights.
Eamus Ursuli!
total disaster!
Just like how it was windy and foggy when the Hawks played at Wrigley, I can’t believe that the Cubs were too cheap to put up a dome over the stadium to control the conditions better, cuz NHL hockey is meant to be played in controlled conditions! (yes, sarcasm)
When they decided to play the game at a non-football stadium they accepted that there would have to be some tweaks. In reality, this is not that different than other “house rules” like the in play speakers and catwalks in dome stadiums, the flagpole in Houston, and, dare I say, the ivy at Wrigley. If Wrigley was being proposed as a full time football stadium, this would be bad. As it is, no big deal.
Eamus Ursuli!
by WGNstatic on Nov 19, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Brutal
If I had purchased tickets in that end zone, I’d consider it a disaster.
by 10 14 23 26 on Nov 19, 2010 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
Don't get me wrong, I don't care.
Bucky scored 83 points last week and is gonna throttle Michigan; this game’s meaningless to almost every B10 fan; NW is already bowl eligible. This isn’t a tweak—a big catwalk @ the Metrodome is a quirk; a entire end zone not being used is a disaster.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
What happens if the offensive team gets pinned back at the 1 yard line and has to punt...is there enough room ?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 12:01 PM CST up reply actions
If you don't...
…it’s a safety. Idiot.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
you missed the point.....
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
yes, there's room
the endzone is unaffected. but the outfield wall is litteraly a couple of inches from the back end line of the endzone. NCAA regualtions state there must be 12 feet of space between the back end line and a stationary wall.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
If those are the regulations...
then the Big 10 and both schools have simply been asininely negligent.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
If I read Kinney's statment below correctly
they cubs proposed this layout and it was approved by UofI, NU, and the Big 10.
That would put the cubs in the blame as well since they proposed the idea. Just because the other entities failed to realize it doesn’t take any responsiblity away from the cubs.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Those regulations have nothing to do with MLB, or Baseball...
it’s was the conference and school’s jobs to verify the Cubs proposal. The Cubs get a pass on f’ing this one up with me.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 3:55 PM CST up reply actions
Any person with half a brain
knew that was a f’d up way to do the field.
How this got proposed and agreed upon amazes me.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
How the hell does this affect the Cubs as a PR disaster?
The NCAA and the Big 10 agreed to this. Suddenly, they change their mind? They are the idiots here.
To blame this on the Cubs is a fool’s argument.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 19, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
The comments above are, in my opinion, ridiculous.
What’s “fail” about this? They’re still playing the game. Yes, maybe they should have done this ahead of time. Fired? Bad publicity? Not at all.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The fail...
…is that they should have figured out a safe way to lay out the field before agreeing to it. If they had marked off every yard on the field at 2 feet 11 inches, they would have had 10 feet of safety buffer and wouldn’t have to make this late rule change.
I know...
…but for one game in Wrigley, it would be a reasonable accomodation.
Here are the rules, by the way, on changes of possession, sidelines, etc.:
- All offensive plays will head toward the west end zone, including all extra points and all overtime possessions.
- All kickoffs will be kicked toward the east end zone.
- After every change of possession, the ball will be repositioned for the offense to head toward the west end zone.
- As a result of a coin toss held by the conference office Friday morning, Illinois will occupy the west team bench in the first half and Northwestern will occupy the west team bench in the second half and for all overtime periods.
One question...
which way does a defender run if they intercept a pass or recover a fumble?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
Why, the ref immediately blows his whistle and yells "FREEZE!!!", silly...
…and the players all stop exactly where they are.
Then 22 scantily clad math majors (11 from each school) run out on the field and escort each player to the exact opposite spot on the field. When everyone is in place, the ref blows his whistle again, and play resumes.
Seriously, SWL, how could you not know this? I worry about you, sometimes…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Nov 19, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Jim Marshall LOVES this idea.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Nov 19, 2010 5:18 PM CST up reply actions
Ahh... Jim "Wrong Way" Marshall...
warms my (old) heart that someone else on this site remembers him.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
rec'd a million times over
Chronologically inept since 2060
"I could be writing this crap!" -- Crow T. Robot
Me: Q: I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thought follows close behind. What am I?
Wrigster A: Theriot
If it was up your ass you'd know.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
We've both agreed to never discuss last memorial day's flag football game Dan. Or so I thought.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
Towards the other end zone?
It’s not like players will spontaneously explode when they get within 5 yards of that padded wall. It’s only a problem on passing plays towards it.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
They run to the 50 yard line...
…turn around and run back the other way towards the “good” end zone. It’s self explanatory, isn’t it?
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
I imagine a series of "ghost runners".
The referees will determine if the ballcarrier would have been tackled by one of these ghost runner-style players.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
THis was the master plan
This was Ricketts master plan all along. Now he can use this as more leverage to get $200M for renovations.
“Hey, we can’t even get a football field in here. We need more space!”
Oh and yes, I am joking.
by ZeoBandit on Nov 19, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Here's the deal
This game has been hyped widely as the first football game to be played at Wrigley Field in 40 years.
This fiasco, no matter who you do or don’t want to blame it on, virtually assures that it will be the last football game played at Wrigley Field. Ever.
Bottom line.
Precisely.
The ‘disaster’ here is that they’ll never get another game in Wrigley. Which may reflect poorly on the Ricketts in so far as appearing to be another stumble – but as others have said, everything points to the Big 10/NCAA pulling this out of their ass on the eve of the game. Not the Ricketts’ fault in any way. (And it sure looks like the right field wall is at least one foot beyond the end line, if that’s actually the rule.)
Still, I had heard the Cubs people talking up future games, and as with the concert series they are definitely interested in finding ways to have more events in the park. This appears to end football games as an option, which is bad news for a Ricketts family trying to pay off a heavily-leveraged note.
On the other hand, it sure looked a bit scary to see that wall and think of some kid running a post pattern at it. It was a reasonably small danger, but these aren’t the 60’s anymore either. The players are bigger/faster/stronger, and we have much more awareness of how someone can get paralyzed banging their neck the wrong way.
It’s the safe call, but dickish of them to spring it on the Cubs 24 hours before the game.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Nov 19, 2010 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
Wow.........
You would have thought they would have checked this out beforehand. Why aren’t they running the field across the outfield like the Bears used to?
"For the charming if somewhat curious branch of mankind known as Cub fans, spring is a sanguine time.. Every spring holds the blithe hope that perhaps this is the season in which Satan will grow weary and ease up on the headlock in which he has diabolically held Chicago's mightily struggling National League baseball team since 1908..." Lonnie Wheeler- "Bleachers"
No, the Bears field was laid out from 1B to the LF wall
… and it did not have regulation length end zones — the end zones were only eight yards long.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
OK- stand corrected
"For the charming if somewhat curious branch of mankind known as Cub fans, spring is a sanguine time.. Every spring holds the blithe hope that perhaps this is the season in which Satan will grow weary and ease up on the headlock in which he has diabolically held Chicago's mightily struggling National League baseball team since 1908..." Lonnie Wheeler- "Bleachers"
by tommy veryzer on Nov 19, 2010 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
This is a colossal joke
I saw the headline and assumed this was a link to an Onion article.
Ticket demand for this game was already less than expected – seats are available for less than face already.
Now the thousands of people who bought seats in the right and center field bleachers find out they have a crap view of the entire game? If I’d bought seats in there with the expectation that half the action would be coming towards me, I’d demand my money back.
None of us have any idea whether the Cubs or the NCAA was the driving force behind how the field was set up. We do know that this reflects incredibly poorly on the Cubs. A crap end to a crap first year under the Ricketts family.
I thought so too.
And even though it goes to ESPN, it made me laugh. What a joke.
Writing quality posts since 1931.
How does this reflect on the Cubs?
This was a decision made by the Big Ten.
I swear, there is so much hate here for the Cubs and Wrigley Field, I wonder why any of you even bother to be fans. All you do is bitch and complain about everything.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Because they played a part
Unless the Cubs said to the Big 10 or NCAA, sure you can take over the stadium and do whatever you want, the Cubs had a role here. And the decision made to set up the field the way they did was a stupid one. And that’s how it reflects poorly on the Cubs.
And in a year that started with a ridiculous marketing campaign and poor decisions on ticket pricing and continued with a crap team and more nickel and diming the fan base, the Ricketts family has done nothing to earn credibility other than the fact that they are longtime fans of the team.
I don’t think anyone here hates the Cubs or hates Wrigley. In fact for many of us, criticizing what is bad is actually a much more productive way of being a fan rather than simply swallowing every spoonful of crap that Wally Heyward and Dennis Culloton feed us.
by Holtzmaniac on Nov 19, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
No one's suggesting "swallowing" everything.
But I see a real knee-jerk negative attitude toward everything that comes out of the Cubs. Granted, they have made a number of mistakes this year.
Being a fan of a sports team is supposed to be, in the end, enjoyable. If you’re not enjoying it, why not go root for someone else?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
That's really how you see this?
The first year under the Ricketts was an absolute failure in every conceivable way. I’ve been a fan for over 30 years and have had innumerable shared experiences with family and friends built around the Cubs. But under your way of seeing the world, I should either sit quietly and smile while the Ricketts continue to screw me or I should pack up and go root for another team to which I have no connection.
As much as I would love to live in that black-and-white world, I don’t.
by Holtzmaniac on Nov 19, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
I'm not claiming that the Ricketts have been a huge success.
Clearly, that’s impossible. I see what’s happening the same as you do.
But calling this a “colossal joke” and blaming it on the Cubs and the Ricketts — you seem to be looking for ways to do that. Go for it, if that makes you feel better.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I'd say the first part is right - this is a "colossal joke".
but I can buy into the argument that the Cubs and Ricketts had little if anything to do with this.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
pick one
on monday al said the cubs were involved…
This game is going to generate a lot of money for the Cubs, some of which, presumably, could be used for signing free agents in the future. You think Cubs baseball management is focused on this? Hardly. Cubs executives are busy with this game, which will bring a lot of money to the team and to Wrigleyville.
now there is a problem, and the cubs weren’t all that involved?
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
The Cubs did not make this decision.
That’s all I’m saying. See below.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
then they fail by not having a say in the decision
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
in which case...
people would argue that they fail in not caring about the safety of the players playing the game and only about playing Football the way it was meant to be played as someone noted above. Except you know, it’s not the exact same since originally the Field Goal posts were in the end zone, and they used leather helmets if any at all, and you couldn’t throw the ball forward.
The anti-Ricketts backlash has gone way over the line IMO
Absolutely everything has been their fault according to the BCB population. How in the world is this possibly their their fault? Let’s stick to the things that they’re actually messing up before we starting blaming them for the weather too.
by madcow256 on Nov 19, 2010 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually I find the BCB community has a fair number of what -could- be called reflexive Ricketts defenders.
Looking around the Cubs blogosphere, this appears to be close to “Vine Line Jr.” in terms of the new management getting a fair hearing.
That said it seems that there are a couple of commenters here looking to pile on. At least on this issue I haven’t seen any evidence to suggest that the Cubs management was anything but blindsided with this announcement. After spending months pinning down all the specifics and safety issues.
I have no love for the new ownership group after this first year, but they sure appear to deserve a pass on any blame for this occurance.
by The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street on Nov 19, 2010 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
I've been accused of being one of those.
I’ve criticized loudly when I feel it’s warranted — like the lack of security in the bleachers and the ridiculous ticket price increases.
But you’re right, a lot of what’s been said in this thread is piling on. This one wasn’t the Cubs’ fault.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You're just looking for a reason to complain about the Cubs or Ricketts
How in any possible way does a decision by the Big 10 Commisioner regarding student-athlete safety reflect poorly on the Cubs or Ricketts?
Did the Cubs provide the football field to NCAA specifications? Yes
The Big Ten, NU, and IL all signed off on the field measurements last spring or summer. The size of Wrigley Field has not changed since then.
Any decision on a Friday before a Saturday game by the Big 10 Comminsioner reflects poorly only on the Big 10, NU, and IL for terrible planning.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
Right.
And in the end, will have almost no effect on the game itself.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Who cares about the impact on the game?
That’s not the issue. For me, the two big issue are the lack of intelligent thought that went into this and the fact that thousands of fans in the right field bleachers and down the right field line have been screwed.
And lack of forethought and screwing fans has rapidly grown into being a hallmark under the Ricketts. It’s also a hallmark of the NCAA, but I have no dog in that fight.
by Holtzmaniac on Nov 19, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
I'll agree with you...
… that the “fan friendly” image the Ricketts have been attempting to cultivate, is not working. They have a long way to go to make amends in many areas.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
the only victims are the people who bought tickets on the east side
there is no reason for anybody else to complain. get over it.
by holy mackeral on Nov 19, 2010 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
well, I was hoping to add a couple footballs to my collection...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
To which you immediately jump up and defend whatever we bitch and complain about...
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:15 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Defend?
Well, I will say they could have figured this out more than one day before the game.
But to portray it as a “disaster” and bitch about the Cubs, the Ricketts and pretty much everything involved? Way over the top.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The only reason any of us are here is to bitch about the Cubs, Ricketts and pretty much everything involved.
What super awesomeness related to the Cubs, Ricketts and pretty much everything involved would you suggest we all high five each other about?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
Bison burgers
And this has been my post for the month.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Nov 19, 2010 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
They probably never went full-out practice on it until yesterday...
…then when they noticed an above normal amount of players being removed on gurneys they figured something needed to be done.
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
Green, Green, Green
People will argue about anything on the Internets. Because they can.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 19, 2010 1:03 PM CST up reply actions
I'm waiting for NU confirmation on this
That was from the Illinois sports information director and maybe what he thought was a final decision was not.
I have not seen this on Chicago Breaking News yet, and I would expect it there.
This is just a bolt from the blue.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
It's true.
I got a press release from the Big Ten.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al, I really wish you'd label your links to SBNation as such
When you say “I got a press release from the Big Ten.” followed by a link, I kinda expect that link would be to the press release. Instead, it’s to another story. Some might think you’re just trying to build traffic to SBNation…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Is it a secret press release?
Why is this link not to an actual press release?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
Learn to Google - Free Your Mind Neo
"The health and safety of our student-athletes is of the utmost importance," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. "Both Illinois and Northwestern did significant due diligence over the past 18 months, but after seeing the actual layout of the field, all parties felt that it was appropriate to adjust the rules to further enhance the safety of our student-athletes. Wrigley Field is one of the most historic venues in the country, and playing the Illinois-Northwestern game at this facility will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for student-athletes, coaches and fans."
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
feel free to correct me
but I read that as Northwestern and Illinois either a) did a poor job measuring out the field. or b)Knew this was gonna be an issue and this was planned all along. I’m sitting in the end zone up in 416, so my seat just got a lot better, but if I was sitting in the bleachers or the RF corner I’d be upset about this.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
if I was sitting in the bleachers or the RF corner I’d be upset about this.
Yes, I can see that argument, definitely, especially because bleacher tickets are high priced — and all the same price, too. Price breakdowns here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And a lot a defensive butts to see!
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
if I was sitting in the bleachers or the RF corner I’d be upset about this.
Yes, I can see that argument, definitely, especially because bleacher tickets are high priced — and all the same price, too. Price breakdowns here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
you've got a lot of doubleposts this morning Al...
…too many dietCokes? ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Those prices are INSANE for college football...
My Bears tickets—great seats in the second deck—don’t cost $125.
close call...
good thing you knew to buy tickets on the goal line that would actually get used.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
Because the press release came to me in an email.
I can’t link to that. I posted the information there. That’s why I posted the link I did.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
how long will this game take to play with all the
switching around
by cozmotaylor123 on Nov 19, 2010 11:05 AM CST reply actions
Why does this matter anyway...who gives two wet farts about a Northwestern/Illinois football game?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:17 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'm commenting on other people's stupid posts...
like the one above this one for example.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It looks like Wrigley is not going to host the Big 10 championship game
And I’m guessing, this is probably going to be the last college football game there for a while.
I was thinking that too
Ricketts said he wanted to make it a yearly thing. I can’t imagine that will happen now.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
That was such an idiotic idea to begin with
Why would the Big10 Championship game be in a 40,000 seat stadium with zero amenities when there are several 80,000 seat palaces within the Big10 footprint. Even in Chicago it would be the height of stupidity to have a big event like that in Wrigley rather than in Soldier Field.
Wrigley Field makes sense for a game that nobody would go to otherwise. Doesn’t really make sense for a huge event that will draw because of the event itself.
what a joke
i KNEW they wouldn’t be able to make that work with the wall right there. sounds like playing football at wrigley field is a TERRIBLE idea. wouldn’t you think that someone would have thought of this before the teams agreed to play there? wow. the stupidity is remarkable.
Step one: sell tickets
Step two: cash checks
Step three: figure out how to play the game you sold tickets for.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly what I was going to post.
This is definitely a mistake on all sides including the Cubs. It’s obvious everyone’s primary concern is money before checking if this thing was actually going to WORK.
I guess I just don't understand
How is this detrimental to the game?
Sure, it’s not ideal, but they found a flaw and worked it out.
I don’t get why everyone gets all riled up over something that really doesn’t mean a whole lot int he grand scheme of things.
random thoughts aplenty: @crouch17
Al says "Correct" in 3...2...
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
So this confirms
Baseball players are tougher than football players.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
What a stupid way to play football
I don’t think it reflects badly on the Cubs, but I think it reflects badly on Wrigley, on Chicago, on Ricketts and on life itself.
"It's all in the game, yo"
That's right.
It’s not the Cubs fault. It’s the field (manager? field advisor?) and the Big 10’s fault.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
It's too bad Lou Piniella isn't still around.
This certainly calls for a “Look, what do you want me to do?”
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Like Wrigley itself
Football in Wrigley sounded a lot cooler than it will actually be.
"It's all in the game, yo"
This has the Good Idea Fairy from the BIG Ten Commisioner's office written all over it
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
Nice!
My old roommate, a captain in the WI National Guard, will bring up the Good Idea Fairy if you buy him a few beers and ask him how things are going at work. I’ve heard plenty a story about the nonsensical directives coming down from the top brass.
Not effect the outcome?
How can this not effect the outcome when the U of I’s allotment is in the west endzone and NU’s student section is in the East end zone.
It’s a noise issue.
As a 15 year season ticket holder (think priority points) I just got hosed by The Big Ten and NU. My seats are at about the 25 yard line on the east side of the field.
Additionally, this will kill any chance of a Big 10 playoff game at Wrigley. Perhaps the Cubs would have made enough mone off that to buy out one of these horible long term contracts.
There would never have been a Big Ten playoff game at Wrigley.
If they ever do one in Chicago, it would be at Soldier Field, which has 20,000 more seats.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
agreed
this game is all about the novelty. for the big ten championship game they are gonna want as many people in there as possible. IIRC it’s gonna be in Indy the first year. I know it’s a bit out there, but I like the idea of the Big Ten Championship game at Lambeau. I like the idea of the game in an old school stadium.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
they could play the Big 10 Champiohship Game in Ann Arbor, to ensure it is a neutral site
by holy mackeral on Nov 19, 2010 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec by this Buckeye
No one should be untouchable on this roster unless his name is Eliot Ness...or Starlin Castro.
This is all on the Big 10
What a horrible PR decision from their perspective. As someone pointed out above, when you plan to play a football game in a non-football stadium you have to be prepared to make concessions. Playing to only one endzone is just a dumb PR move for the B10 in general. Why not add more padding to the walls? Shorten the endzone as the Bears did? Play in the other orientation as the Bears did? It just makes everyone look bad to make this change at the last minute and spoils the main marketing thrust of the game.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
by berselius on Nov 19, 2010 11:55 AM CST reply actions 4 recs
On this, I agree.
This should have been discussed, decided and announced months ago, not the day before the game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yes.
I guess in 1981 nobody cared if Sting players crashed into the wall.
(Yes, yes I know soccer is different. Please don’t respond. Again, this is sarcasm.)
The field should have been placed north and south. But if everybody agreed months ago, this is a stupid move by the Big 10 and the NCAA.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Nov 19, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
I think I heard that when they played north/south
they had one end zone that was only 9 yards deep.
DEJESUS!!!
And they added rows of seats on the field to the first base line since then....
Having said that, I don’t think this necessarily means the end of football at Wrigley. You would have to remove a few rows in the west (or south) end zone. Yes, this would involve some demolition. It’s only temporary. Take down the offending section of the brick wall, make sure it’s flat and cover it with astroturf or whatever. Then rebuild it when it’s done.
Arenas and stadiums do this for the World Cup and political conventions. If people are paying these prices, they can afford to do some modifications.
This wouldn't be a problem if it was Northwestern v. Indiana
(ba dum bum…)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Sam Fuld could show these big guys something about playing hard.
He crashes into the UNPADDED wall on a regular basis.
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2010 12:06 PM CST reply actions
And Reed Johnson
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
They should move the game to Comiskey
by jerry morales rules on Nov 19, 2010 12:30 PM CST reply actions
Crane Kenney released the following statement on behalf of the Cubs.
I am passing this along simply for informational purposes.
"The Chicago Cubs are surprised by the Big Ten’s last-minute statement regarding changes for tomorrow’s Northwestern-Illinois football game at Wrigley Field. Let there be no doubt: the safety of the student-athletes has been – and remains – the number one priority since the concept of this game was first discussed more than a year ago, and all parties have gone to complete lengths to ensure student-athlete safety for this contest.
"The essential item in our negotiations to host the football game at Wrigley Field was obtaining approval of both universities and the Big Ten for the field dimensions as related to player safety issues. The field dimension layout was delivered to the Big Ten approximately eight months ago and was approved by the conference. Last month, the field was built exactly to the dimensions previously approved by the Big Ten. Last week, a Big Ten official performed an on-site visit at Wrigley Field, participated in a field walk-thru and raised no issue with the field dimensions, painted lines and boundaries previously approved by the Big Ten.
"This game would not have been scheduled if it did not pass the strict and meticulous standards of everyone involved, a process that began more than a year ago. All are in agreement Wrigley Field is a safe venue to host a football game. Other baseball parks, including tomorrow night’s game in Yankee Stadium, feature similar football field-to-venue grid dimensions and rule changes are not considered for football games played in other baseball parks.
"We have reached out to the Big Ten to further discuss the playing field. While we are surprised by this morning’s last-minute statement, all agree that tomorrow will be an historic event and a wonderful experience for the fans, the schools and the student-athletes."
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Of course they are pissed
Definitely hurts their chances of hosting more football games in the future. However, I don’t really see how it will have a huge affect on the game itself, and the safety of the student-athletes should trump the concerns of those sitting in the bleachers.
In fact, I think this statement is more embarrassing for Ricketts and Kenney than the fact that the last minute change was made. Way to look out for the students guys.
i'm certainly all for player safety
but it’s really a weak argument.
the players are going to be wearing pads and the walls are going to be padded. baseball players don’t wear pads and the wall is not padded at all, or with ivy, if you consider that padding. i’ve been in many a gym where there was a wall within a few feet of the baseline.
the concern is really one of liability, not safety…though they are obviously related.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
Seriously?
Baseball and football are totally different sports. Outfielders don’t have opponents trying to tackle them when they are going after balls either. I am an ND fan, and all season we have worried about the safety of our wide receivers running fade routes at Yankee Stadium. And they have PLENTY of room there as compared to here.
Pat Fitzgerald admitted as much when he said that they will have two different playbooks for end zone plays depending on which end zone they were headed to. In terms of safety and the integrity of game-play, this was the right decision.
you're missing my point
this decision wasn’t made because someone might get hurt, it was made because someone might get hurt and they might be found liable because they built the field next to a brick wall.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
You undercut your own argument
You argued that it wasn’t done because of player safety (the players aren’t REALLY at risk), and then conceded that they were concerned about liability if a player was in fact hurt.
I agree that it was done because of liability, but that is because the field as it is laid out presents a genuine safety risk. The Cubs, Big10, and both teams would likely have been liable, given that there was an obvious remedy (the one ultimately chosen) to the safety risk.
i never said the players aren't really at risk
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Then what's your point?
My points were (1) Good decision (albeit late) by the Big10/NU/U of I; and (2) Cubs management looks bad again.
you got my point
they made this decision because someone figured out that it might be considered negligent, and thus cause the parties involved (ncaa, big ten, northwestern, illinois, cubs, and others) to be held liable, in the event that a player was hurt by making contact with the brick wall which is in some spots less than two feet from the field of play.
they are not primarily concerned with the “genuine safety risk” because that risk still exists. though not playing toward that end zone minimizes that risk, it is still possible for there to be a play that results in a player making contact with the wall and being injured. they could eliminate that risk entirely by not playing the game, or if possible, by moving the field so that it is not dangerously close to the brick wall.
the primary concern is minimizing their liability in the event of an injury, not preventing any chance of the injury occurring. so while they say they are doing this because of player safety, the truth is that they are doing this because they are concerned about losing money if someone gets hurt.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
I would bet a lot of money that nobody makes contact with that wall.....
The only play that I could see it happening is on a punt out of that endzone.
I love how you say you're an ND fan
and then lump all others, including myself, in with you when you say “we”. So, let me get this straight, the whole season “we” have been worried about ND safeties and WRs at Yankee Stadium? Come to think of it, yes, this has been what I’ve worried about, and not silly things like Crist’s knee, how the OLine will hold up, is the defense faster, can they be better than 6-6, the filmographer that died, the injuries that nearly all of the key players suffered, losing to Tulsa, losing to Navy, losing to UM and State, etc. No, my main concern has definitely been how the team performs at Yankee Stadium…
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Nov 19, 2010 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
Crane is not having a good week is he?
"Lou Piniella's been a great manager for a long time and I stand by him completely"
Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
He's looking at the Golden Sombrero
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
Saying Surprised twice in one statement
mean the Cubs were blind-sided by this and not informed ahead of time.
This is making a usually dull saturday morning sports page look really good tmrw.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
Pointless
Crane should have kept his mouth shut. IMO this is on the Big Ten and NU, but Crane interjecting himself here just makes it seem like the Cubs were part of the screw-up.
Even though the point of the statement is that they weren't part of the screw-up?
I don’t get your point here.
No one should be untouchable on this roster unless his name is Eliot Ness...or Starlin Castro.
"All are in agreement Wrigley Field is a safe venue to host a football game."
I think they just established that it’s not a safe stadium to play a football game in…..that’s why they had to change the rules
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
This is...
Embarrassing? Yes. Bad planning? Yes. Something to blame on the Cubs or Tom Ricketts? C’mon. I know there are lots of reasons to point the finger at the owners right now…like the 4-game Holiday Joke Pack, Undercover Tool, $200 million handout, etc, but do you seriously believe that the Cubs were in charge of the dimensions of the field? If anybody should take the blame, it should be the Big Ten and the schools. The dimensions were no secret…they’ve known about this for years. The Cubs should have been told that it wouldn’t work long ago…I just hope they didn’t know about it and pushed it for the sake of $$$. No matter what the case, I’m glad I don’t have tickets for that end zone…
by bergs55 on Nov 19, 2010 12:56 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
of course
the parties involved (cubs/big ten/northwestern/illinois) could offer full or partial refunds to the people most affected by the decision. but obviously they don’t intend to do that.
do you seriously believe that the Cubs were in charge of the dimensions of the field?
yes, but only because crane kenney said as much in his press release…
The essential item in our negotiations to host the football game at Wrigley Field was obtaining approval of both universities and the Big Ten for the field dimensions as related to player safety issues. The field dimension layout was delivered to the Big Ten approximately eight months ago and was approved by the conference.
the cubs came up with the layout, the big ten and the teams approved it.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
What happens if...
..there’s an interception or fumble? Which way do they run?
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie" -- Tony Montana
help me obi wan kenobi
Who’s the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?
New Game Slogan
NU vs. IL Football at Wrigley Field: Furthering the Pussification of America.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
new sig line
RiskyBusiness: classin’ things up with the P-word!
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Because unnecessary injuries are awesome
Everyone all week was marveling at how unsafe the field layout was. Why are you surprised that they remedied that safety concern.
I don't know
Maybe because they waited until the day before the game to announce it?
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Right.
Because all football stadiums have walls directly attached to the end zone. They are clearly being idiosyncratic not wanting them on Saturday.
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
Not my call to play at Wrigley
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 1:37 PM CST up reply actions
But if you were in charge of the ground-rules....
You would have chosen to play into a safety hazard. All in the name of being a “tough guy.” Nice.
Screw it
Let’s play flag football then. Or a powder-puff game
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
^^^
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
That makes no sense.
How is not playing with walls in improper places “furthering” the pussification of America? Football must just be a pussy sport in general, I suppose.
The Bears and Dolphins were huge pussies last night, playing in such roomy accommodations. They could just as easily have put up some chain link fences around the sideline.
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
If it doesn't fit, don't schedule the game there
The walls are where the walls are. They didn’t creep in since they scheduled the game.
Somebody got cold feet.
"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 19, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Look at the people in charge of this event (and this team)...
practically trying to fit a square peg into a round hole (almost literally).
Embarrassing.
Are we sure this whole thing isn't because there is some secret unwritten rule about only using one of something if you play a sport in Wrigley Field?
The Cubs only used one #3 hitter last year regardless of how well he hit.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 1:35 PM CST reply actions
I would be angry if I had purchased tickets in the east side of the field
given that the game will be played on the west side of the field. Those people are the only victims here. Everybody else needs to get over it, as it isnt a big deal.
For those who bought tickets in the west side of the park, congratulations! Your seats just got a whole lot better
Ummm...don't wanna be a poop, but, I ain't watchin' it anyway...
…and if these so called “football players” are scared to run/dive into a brick wall at full speed, then maybe they just aren’t REAL football players. You just gotta suck it up. C-mon, man!
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
Sam Fuld would only play in the east end zone.
"All right, you ragtag bunch of misfits! You hate me, and I hate you even more. But without my beloved ringers, you're all I've got. So I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and win!"
by Lord Palmerston on Nov 19, 2010 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
That's right...real men thumb their noses at brick walls, crash into them and get up and say "that all you got, sissy?"
"I don't care who the manager is OR who they sign in the off-season...I just want a frickin' World Series winner" - Easy Ed
this is on everyone who helped plan it
Which despite what thr illini s.I.d said on WaddleandSilvy this morning, involved him too. They all planned it. They all approved. I just hope we can get over this so we can enjoy what should be an awesome day tomorrow.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
by TkGoUWGB on Nov 19, 2010 2:18 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I just learned that this is all Jim Hendry's fault. Let's waterboard him
just to make sure it doesnt happen again
"This ain't intramurals, brother!"
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Nov 19, 2010 3:07 PM CST reply actions
Honesty compels me to say,
bastardization is almost always a bad idea.
The reason I'm personally pissed off about this...
It would have been easy to fix before the field had been marked down.
Al, go back and look at those photographs of the field you took a few days ago. Look specifically at the NW end zone corner.
Do you see it?
It’s possible to move the field at least a few feet to the West, which would have completely negated virtually every criticism that the NCAA, B10, NW, and UI would have had about the field itself.
To call this a disaster isn’t going far enough.
It’s a marketing disaster.
It’s a planning disaster.
It changes the way the game is going to be played.
Disagree? Riddle me this. Wind speed. We’re the Windy City. Wind tends to come off the lake and head towards the grandstands. What happens when the wind is constantly at your back and you never have to throw into the wind? You change your gameplan. But you never have to modify it midgame.
This is a disaster.
And it could have been avoided.
This is a fail on the Cubs, the Ricketts family, the NCAA, the Big 10, both schools, and everybody associated with this project.
I feel ashamed that I am even remotely associated with this debacle (being a UI grad).
It’s possible to move the field at least a few feet to the West, which would have completely negated virtually every criticism that the NCAA, B10, NW, and UI would have had about the field itself.
This does sum up everything. You’re right, having this decision made 24 hours before game time makes things look bad. How do you blame the Cubs and the Ricketts family when the Big Ten made this call, though?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
the cubs came up with the field location
so they have to shoulder some (not all, not even most) of the blame for the role they played in planning this event.
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
very little of the blame...very little indeed....almost so little that it's not worth blaming them...
you could have blamed them if the Big 10 had said “change the layout” and the Cubs said “no”, but that didn’t happen…
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
You said:
the cubs came up with the field location so they have to shoulder some (not all, not even most) of the blame for the role they played in planning this event.
See, this is the knee-jerk bashing of everything the Cubs do that I find so distasteful. You would happen to be wrong, as Kenney’s statement specifically says:
The field dimension layout was delivered to the Big Ten approximately eight months ago and was approved by the conference. Last month, the field was built exactly to the dimensions previously approved by the Big Ten. Last week, a Big Ten official performed an on-site visit at Wrigley Field, participated in a field walk-thru and raised no issue with the field dimensions, painted lines and boundaries previously approved by the Big Ten.
The Big Ten did this, not the Cubs. Put blame where it belongs.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just about to post the same....
….sure the Cubs may have come up with the location for the field, but all the other entities had the right to look at it and say “hey, that’s not gonna work”. There has been 8 months, according to Kenney, to look at this thing and get it right. There was a walk thru, with lines on the field, last week….it’s totally on the Big 10, NU, and UI as far as I’m concerned.
I think it's the Big Ten.
NU seemed fine with it in their practice yesterday.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
knee-jerk bashing?
in kenney’s state i understood “was delivered to the Big Ten” to mean that the cubs delivered the field dimension layout to the Big Ten. the cubs were clearly involved in the planning of this event and i suggested that they shoulder “some (not all, not even most) of the blame” for this mistake. if that’s knee-jerk bashing to you, well, i know there is no point in trying to have a discussion with you about it.
what i do for a living involves the review and approval of construction plans. in my opinion and experience if a mistake is made in the review and approval process it does not completely absolve the person that drew up the plans. if the ncaa requires a six foot buffer (or whatever the minimum dimension is) then the ncaa is ultimately at fault for (i assume) approving the design. but if the cubs drew up the plans they should have known that they needed a six foot buffer and did not provide that. the whole process was a failure. there is plenty of blame to go around.
in order to say who is to blame and to what extent i’d need to know who did what, what they knew, and when. i’m not saying that the cubs “did this” but i don’t have enough information to say “they did not.”
by circuitclout on Nov 19, 2010 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
Presuming Kenney's statement to be true...
… I’d put this blame on the Big Ten, not the Cubs. Yes, the Cubs were involved in planning. To say they were responsible for what happened today ignores the reality of other people’s approval of what went on — apparently at several different times.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Disaster?
This only would have been a disaster if the Big Ten didn’t do anything and some kid broke his neck. And now because they did do something, they have made the football game seem silly.
I will be suprised if this is the last time the Cubs are suprised by something this off season. Does the endzone at the Yankee Stadium field end directly at the outfield wall? Sounds like a lot of sour grapes from Kennedy followed by an oh, yeah, this game will be historic. His statement should have read: “The Cubs are even more pleased that tomorrows game will be even more historic.” First game ever with Looney Tune rules, right?
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Nov 19, 2010 10:42 PM CST reply actions
When I first saw the photos...
after they laid out the field, my first thought was the east endzone is an accident waiting to happen. Whoever and how much blame is irrelevent. At least they figured it out before it was too late.
Why doesn’t everybody stop pissing and moaning about this and just enjoy the game.
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