Wrigley Resodding Project - Saturday 11/10 Update

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2007 11:08 AM CST in 2007 Wrigley Resodding Project

I'm no expert in these matters, but it sure looks from these photos -- taken from the webcams at 10:45 am CT on Saturday -- that the sod could be laid in starting sometime next week.

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At least that dirt patch in right

worn in the spot Sosa never moved from now blends in with the rest of the field.

by TR on Nov 10, 2007 11:19 AM CST reply actions

LMAO

They should put a permanent historical marker there.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2007 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

I'm No Expert

either, but I think next week for sod might be a bit ambitious. Working 24/7 though, I guess it is possible.

It's hard to tell from the photos but I think they laid a layer of gravel over the drain pipes, followed with a layer of pourous material such as sand. Before the sod goes on I expect to see some nice black Illinois soil go on.

Before that, however, wouldn't you think they'd give the field a good soaking to be sure everything works as planned?

And so it goes.

by Luigi on Nov 10, 2007 12:40 PM CST reply actions

I can just see the commemorative plaque now....

"At this spot, 420,000 blades of grass died during the Samuel Sosa Peralta regime. Remember our fallen blades, lest we repeat the mistakes of the past."

Is anybody else excited to see the 2008 Cubs play on this new landscape? I can't help but wonder how much this will improve defensive plays. All that's left for us to do is to BAN CONCERTS AT WRIGLEY.

by Flatley on Nov 10, 2007 12:42 PM CST reply actions

That's a good point.

The field needed resodding anyway, but the Police concerts made it an urgent necessity.

The deal with the city doesn't include any concerts in 2008, but they can have some in 2009. Obviously, nothing's been officially announced yet, but the Cubs consider this a large revenue source. Under new ownership, this might change.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2007 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

Speaking of new ownership...

Al, have you heard any updated projections on when the Tribune and/or Cubs sale(s) will be complete

by Flatley on Nov 10, 2007 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

This was discussed...

... in this diary yesterday where I posted a link stating that everything seems to be on hold for now.

I would expect no change in the current ownership/management until well after the 2008 season has begun, maybe not even till next season is over.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2007 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

What change time would you think

What time for the change do you think would be best for the team?

I'd say mid season. I don't think it really affects the players much since the Trib is a faceless corporation. An individual owner would be more of an impact.

Mid season gives plenty of time for things to settle before the offseason starts too.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 11, 2007 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

Concerts....

What deal with the city? I was told directly from the organization that they are going have concerts every year (well as long as they have someone willing to perform)

by NorthsideBlue on Nov 10, 2007 11:32 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't neccessarily go that far because...

a) It's done by a White Sox guy and U.S. Sell-Your-Soul Field has had the Stones and other concerts I think. Maybe he knows something our guys didnt.

b)Wrigley should have stuck with the "if it hurts Fenway, we shouldn't do it" plan of attack. I believe we got Jimmy Buffett because it didn't hurt Wrigley. We didn't get the Stones because it did. Fenway didn't get a chance to play Fenway I think, so the Cubs didn't get a chance to scout out what Fenway didn't do and double up on it. The Cubs didn't want to lose the concert dates so they went with what they could get.

c) I'm convinced the Cubs thought they were locked on getting DMB there because there was no damage at Fenway and I thought it was close to a done deal. Sadly, Dave Matthews wasn't thinking 9 months ahead.

d)I don't know what people think here but in terms of getting extra revenue to keep ticket prices down, let's take a poll of which Wrigley sin we would rather have happen: more concerts, more permanent advertising, or more sucky Cubs teams. I'd go concerts in a heartbeat considering those three.

"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Nov 10, 2007 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

If

If it would help bring a world championship they could turn Wrigley into a porn house during the offseason and during road trips.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 11, 2007 11:59 AM CST up reply actions

Of all the wacky comments you have posted

... this is just about the wackiest.

What is wrong with you???

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2007 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Sod's Done in DC

It's a little odd to think that a brand new stadium has a field in better playing shape than Wrigley right now -

http://clarkconstruction.oxblue.com/clarkhuntsmoot/

¡BLANCO!

by 08Cubs on Nov 10, 2007 1:41 PM CST reply actions

Not really...

...consider the fact that the Nationals weren't playing in that stadium. If the Cubs hadn't made the playoffs they probably would have been done with this project already.

Between genius and madness, lies Conrad

by conrad on Nov 10, 2007 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

Looks like

their re-painting the tops of the dugouts as well...Either that, or they're just covered

by calicubfan on Nov 10, 2007 6:58 PM CST reply actions

Post Season

The Cubs applied decals for the Division Series over the tops of the dugouts. They were removed right after the division series concluded.

by NorthsideBlue on Nov 10, 2007 11:34 PM CST up reply actions

Ok, but

doesn't the top of the visitor's dugout usually say "Welcome to the Friendly Confines...etc"??

I always tell the truth....Even when I lie

by calicubfan on Nov 11, 2007 12:13 AM CST up reply actions

Yes.

I suspect they get repainted every offseason -- we just don't see it because in the past, these webcams haven't been available, and there wasn't the interest in seeing what was going on at an empty field.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2007 4:10 AM CST up reply actions

Dugout Tops

If you are ever out at the ballpark on a tour or have the chance to get close to them - you will see that they are just decals - the wording, the logos and the sponsor logos. They were starting to peel at the end of the season.

by NorthsideBlue on Nov 11, 2007 10:05 AM CST up reply actions

I'm sure no one cares but I'll nit pick anyway

Since there's a new post every day and you might save these as a special feature like the bleacher reconstruction series, shouldn't this series of posts have a more accurate name? Isn't this a much bigger deal than just resodding?

After all, the outfield was resodded before the the playoffs (and then torn up again).

Cubs.com called it a "renovation project" and said Roger Bossard was a veteran of 10 previous "field renovations".

OK, a Tribune photo gallery referred to it as something like "Wrigley Field: The Resoddening", but elsewhere they talk about reconstruction or renovation, and not just throwing down some new grass.

</nitpick>

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Nov 11, 2007 4:12 AM CST reply actions

Yep, you're nitpicking.

This is a question of terminology or word usage more than what the project involves. Yes, they are installing a new drainage system; we've seen that via the webcams.

But essentially, this is putting down a new field -- new sod.

Plus, I've already titled all the posts "Resodding Project" and I don't really feel like going back and changing all of them. I think everyone knows what I mean by the title.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2007 4:25 AM CST up reply actions

Re: Yep, you're nitpicking

Hey, that's what I do. :-)

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Nov 11, 2007 4:39 AM CST up reply actions

LOL

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2007 4:43 AM CST up reply actions

Al - new seats?

It would appear as if the extra seats as part of the re-sod program would be dead?

And - is it your understanding that the dugouts will finally be the level of the playing field?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 11, 2007 11:14 AM CST reply actions

Well...

... yes, it appears they aren't adding any seats, right now, anyway.

Part of the point of doing this project was so that the players in the dugouts could see the field better. But whether they have changed the actual level of the dugouts -- it appears not.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2007 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

Hmm...

I was wondering, if they didn't mess with the level of the dugout, how could they have improved the view? In today's would one would think "Just put monitors in the dugouts for both teams", but I believe MLB does not allow it.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 11, 2007 11:44 AM CST reply actions

the impoved view

will be due to the feild now being level and therefore the view from the dugouts will not include the huge 'hump' that was there before. (its hard to see over a hill).

I think that is how the 'view' will be improved, I still think my view will be great from the grandstands:)

I propose a toast to the great 100th anniversy gift known to mankind - A CUBS WORLD SERIES VICTORY!

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 12, 2007 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Question for the assemblage

Question - how far is too far for you as far as Wrigley goes?

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 11, 2007 12:01 PM CST reply actions

For me - a Complete

Rennovation - as a Season Ticket holder - the ammenities for what we pay, is sub-standard.

When my bladder is bursting and I have to run from the Upper Deck, to all the way downstairs, this just shouldn't be, imo.

Besides a small pocket of the better concessions, the food sucks.

It is 2007, and while the traditional scoreboard is "charming", if we want to see a play again (which we're all conditioned to), we have a choice of nothing, 13" t.v.'s in the grandstands, or do as Al does - look into one of the roof top bar's wide screens.

There are many things I love about the place, but certainly as a National Shrine, the place could be dramatically improved.

It is falling apart.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 11, 2007 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

I always have

I always have a mini tv with me at the games if it's on WGN or the U. Of course I also have to rely on good reception.

Makes me very popular during tough replays.

by puckishcubsfan on Nov 11, 2007 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

Is that how you lure people in?

And once the TV goes off, they wish they never would've come closer... Of course, I'd bet my life that you don't bring a tv to games, and this is just some more KOWshit, but oh well.

by sackings108 on Nov 11, 2007 4:54 PM CST up reply actions