Page 2 rates new Busch

[DanzaSlap]

Seems to be a pretty good review

 

I haven't been yet. Anybody here go? What are your thoughts? I've heard good and bad about it.

[The Voice of Reason]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

[K-Town]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

[Wild_Cubs04]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

Thought it was completed now?

[DanzaSlap]

They stadium is finished, technically, but they've been listening to a lot of feedback from fans about how to better improve the stadium and the atmosphere. Plus, once Ballpark Village is complete, that will obviously be a better view than looking out over cranes and a dirt pit. Not that St. Louis is that scenic to begin with, but looking out over a construction zone isn't exactly my idea of ambiance.

[The Voice of Reason]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

 

Valid point. The "Pre-and-postgame Bar and Restaurant Scene" ranking could improve after "Ballpark Village" is created as long as they do it right.

 

Can't wait to go the park and visit the "Build-a-Bear" workshop and craft my very own Fredbird doll. :wink:

[mul21]

My biggest complaint after going to 3 games this week was the fact that the signs for the seating sections are almost non-existent. They used to have them all over hanging from the ceiling and now they are very small and just on the edge of each section. Don't know if that's something they're going to add later or not.

[K-Town]

My biggest complaint after going to 3 games this week was the fact that the signs for the seating sections are almost non-existent. They used to have them all over hanging from the ceiling and now they are very small and just on the edge of each section. Don't know if that's something they're going to add later or not.

 

I agree with you, and I've read other, similar complaints. Hopefully word will spread that this is an issue, and it'll be changed. They've already made minor changes (like smaller foul poles), due to "public outcry".

[DanzaSlap]

The first thing they need to do at new Busch is to stop playing "Day-O." Seriously, can we get rid of this, for the sake of all humanity? I hate it. I love Harry Belafonte as much as the next guy, but that's just lame.

[mjohnson71]

I've made the trip down from Springfield for both Cubs/Cards series. The article is pretty much right: nice place but not great. Some thoughts:

- upper deck seats are not bad. Even sitting three rows from top the view is good.

- open air design is nice. Old Busch was an oven.

- weird setup on concourses: makes it tough to get to upper decks. Old Busch was easier to go up and down.

- food and beer still suck. Run by SportService which is just as bad as Aramark that does Wrigley's oncessions.

- Busch III's brand new smell is 1000 times better than the funk that covers Wrigley. I still gag sometimes when going to the guys rooms in Wrigley.

- I agree that Busch is in the middle of a waste land: they'd better get started on the Ballpark Village ASAP. They also need to fix up the dumpy area to the south of the stadium.

 

I think part of Busch's problems is the fact the Cardinal owners couldn't hoodwink the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri into getting screwed. (good for them)

From ballparks.com here is a list of recently constructed and future ballfields and their public money:

 

Busch III -- Cost:$343 million. Public money:$45 million

PNC -- Cost: $265 million. Public money: all $265 million since city owns stadium

Miller -- Cost: $400 million. Public money:$310 million

Great American -- $325 million. Public money: $280 million

Petco -- $465 million. Public money: $304 million

Washington DC -- $600 million. Public money: all $600 million

Minnesota: $522 million. Public money: $392 million. Bill to go up another $100 million if the Twin can get money from the state for a retractable roof.

Safeco: $517 million. Public money: $340 million (or more)

 

I haven't been to PNC so I can't comment. Great American looks like the Reds pocketed most of that money and spent maybe $125 million building that place. Miller also sucks IMHO: did they spend $300 million on the roof and $100 million on the rest?

 

While there's no proof. The Cards owners claim that more public money would have meant a better place.

Edited June 5, 2006 by mjohnson71

[mjohnson71]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

Thought it was completed now?

 

The seating areas are done and people are sitting there, but the left field corner still has a fair amount of work. Still pretty messy in that area.

[Wild_Cubs04]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

Thought it was completed now?

 

The seating areas are done and people are sitting there, but the left field corner still has a fair amount of work. Still pretty messy in that area.

 

Gotcha, I guess I was thinking the left upper deck was the last part to be done. Straight out from left to left center field, is that what's left of the old stadium?

[beer_man]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

Thought it was completed now?

 

The seating areas are done and people are sitting there, but the left field corner still has a fair amount of work. Still pretty messy in that area.

 

Gotcha, I guess I was thinking the left upper deck was the last part to be done. Straight out from left to left center field, is that what's left of the old stadium?

 

yes, that is where Ballpark village is going along with the Cards hall of fame...

[mjohnson71]

Interesting. They rank the new Busch below Wrigley Field (just barely) and just sixth among the new "retro" parks.

 

 

Possibly because it's still a work in process.

 

Thought it was completed now?

 

The seating areas are done and people are sitting there, but the left field corner still has a fair amount of work. Still pretty messy in that area.

 

Gotcha, I guess I was thinking the left upper deck was the last part to be done. Straight out from left to left center field, is that what's left of the old stadium?

 

There's nothing left: just dirt. rocks and pulverized concrete.

[Banedon]

I thought there were a couple of spots on that review that would need to be updated in the future. For example, of course "trading up" is going to be damn near impossible right now. It's brand new!

[beer_man]

I thought there were a couple of spots on that review that would need to be updated in the future. For example, of course "trading up" is going to be damn near impossible right now. It's brand new!

 

yeah, but if the team is good it is usually hard to trade up anywhere...I would think that would be a good thing not a bad thing...I am sure trading up in KC is not a problem but what are you really watching...

[Outshined_One]

- Busch III's brand new smell is 1000 times better than the funk that covers Wrigley. I still gag sometimes when going to the guys rooms in Wrigley

 

So that makes the smell one million times better than Busch II, huh? :D

 

Give it time, eventually it'll take on that lovely "St. Louis" smell.

[Derwood]

That list of ballparks failed to list Pac-Bell/Ameritech/whatever it is now in San Fran which was 100% privately funded.

 

I also agree about Miller. That play is a cavernous dump with zero atmosphere.

[mjohnson71]

That list of ballparks failed to list Pac-Bell/Ameritech/whatever it is now in San Fran which was 100% privately funded.

 

I also agree about Miller. That play is a cavernous dump with zero atmosphere.

 

True: my bad. But I haven't been there so I can't comment on the place. Though anyone I know who has been to PacBell raves about it.

 

I still get sick with the fact that DC residents are paying for 100% of the new ballpark when the city finances are in such bad shape.

[mjohnson71]

The first thing they need to do at new Busch is to stop playing "Day-O." Seriously, can we get rid of this, for the sake of all humanity? I hate it. I love Harry Belafonte as much as the next guy, but that's just lame.

 

I've been to three games at Busch and haven't heard it yet.

 

You know who's bad with the "Day-O"? The Yankees; they beat it to death. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...

[Soul]

That list of ballparks failed to list Pac-Bell/Ameritech/whatever it is now in San Fran which was 100% privately funded.

 

I also agree about Miller. That play is a cavernous dump with zero atmosphere.

 

Miller is 1000 times better than the dump they used to play in, that's for sure.

 

I think they *DID* spend most of the money on the roof, though. The rest of the place is kind of bare. The club level is marginally cool.

 

I like the Jake better.

 

LOL----I went to a Twins game a couple weeks ago. It was fun. My God though; bring your exercise shoes if you have a seat down by the field.

[vaball]

- Busch III's brand new smell is 1000 times better than the funk that covers Wrigley. I still gag sometimes when going to the guys rooms in Wrigley

 

So that makes the smell one million times better than Busch II, huh? :D

 

Give it time, eventually it'll take on that lovely "St. Louis" smell.

 

Actually, now that I've lived in Chicago for about a year, I can say that Chicago often stinks. Don't get me wrong, I love this city, but it stinks in places.

 

I think it has something to do with the storm drains. They all vent right out into the air. In St. Louis the storm drains are built into the curbs and have solid coverings that keep the smells contained. Here in Chicago they just vent right out into the air so anywhere within a 20 foot radius of one absolutely reeks on a hot day.

[XZero771679666304]

- Busch III's brand new smell is 1000 times better than the funk that covers Wrigley. I still gag sometimes when going to the guys rooms in Wrigley

 

So that makes the smell one million times better than Busch II, huh? :D

 

Give it time, eventually it'll take on that lovely "St. Louis" smell.

 

Actually, now that I've lived in Chicago for about a year, I can say that Chicago often stinks. Don't get me wrong, I love this city, but it stinks in places.

 

I think it has something to do with the storm drains. They all vent right out into the air. In St. Louis the storm drains are built into the curbs and have solid coverings that keep the smells contained. Here in Chicago they just vent right out into the air so anywhere within a 20 foot radius of one absolutely reeks on a hot day.

 

As far as St. Louis goes, I have yet to visit a town on the Mississippi that didn't stink, but the STL stinks more than most.

 

Chicago definitely has a smell, but it isn't nearly as offensive. Then again, I don't recall spending much time around many storm drains.

[bhogg]

I saw the Friday and Saturday games this past week. Sat in the back of the CF bleachers on Friday and in the upperdeck in LF (behind the pole) on Saturday.

 

Bleacher seats were awesome. Upperdeck seats were fine, but I couldn't see the LF wall -- no big deal though.

 

The ballpark is gorgeous and you're seated much closer to the action. I can only imagine what "good" seats must be like.

 

I liked seeing games in the previous stadium, but the new busch is a bigtime upgrade.

 

I also like the downtown area (Laclede's Landing). It's okay especially if you are staying in that area (we were at the Embassy Suites).

 

Once the Ballpark Village is complete it's going to be a super nice facilty.

 

It appears that St Louis is doing a renovation of sorts. Many downtown buildings are being torn down and / or renovated. The new Union Station is fantastic and provides a good time killer before the game. The arch is something I've always been impressed with and provides a good bit of historical fun for the family.

 

I always enjoy my trips to SL. . . .. like even more when the cubs win!

[moorecg]

Went to Friday night and Sunday games. Friday night, upstairs in left field..couldn't see most of left field, very disapointed in the view...also, stairways up to the seats very narrow...hard to get two direction traffic.

 

Sunday, 3rd baseline about 20 rows back. Very nice.

 

I've also sat right behind home plate 15 rows back. Also very nice.

 

Just really suprised thta they didn't make every seat in the house where you could see the whole field. I would think they could do that now a days. food sucks, as someone mentioned before...seriously, what the heck is a "brat burger". The new bar looks to be nice.