How is the Field doing?

[Connor McConnor]

Anyone have pics of the field....wondering how the new surface is looking....all set to go?

 

Anyone know?

[TakeMeOutToTheBallGame]

I was kind of wondering that too. I'd say we'll hear something about on Sunday when the Cubs have their workout.

[DiamondMind]

I was also wondering about this due to the weather this offseason.

[B]

Roast should know. He works for the Cubs.

[The R-Train]

Actually, Roast already posted about this in the Stream of Consciousness thread.

[Roast]

Actually, Roast already posted about this in the Stream of Consciousness thread.

I'll post it here since it's relevant:

 

Oh, and some interesting things that are new about the field:

 

There are 4 new signs on the upper deck - one on either side of each of the LED screens. Stub Hub, Motorola, ampm, and...someone else who I'm forgetting.

 

The warning track is now 4 feet wider and goes all the way around the ballpark - so the grass no longer goes up to the walls in foul territory - there is a warning track there as well.

 

The Chicago Board Of Exchange seats are in next to the third base dugout and there are big letters "CBOE" on the front of the wall in front of the seats. Therefore, the rain tarp is now on the FIRST BASE side of the field, because it would have covered the letters.

 

The field is actually more level now then it was before - though it still has enough of a pitch for the water to run off.

 

The new field they put in is sand-based. And thus, at least until the sod takes to the sand, when line-drives hit the outfield grass we'll see a little bit of sand fly up just like we do in some other parks.

 

The new infield (baselines) are clay based - which is different than before. The grounds crew is still kind of learning how to work it apparently.

 

THE SPEAKER SYSTEM THROUGH THE ENTIRE PARK NOW WORKS. Kerry Wood said something about entrance music in the paper a couple of weeks ago and it not being heard because wrigley has what amount to indoor/outdoor speakers or something. That is no longer true. The reason you can never hear the PA is because they just didn't have a lot of speakers. Now they all work loud and clear all over the park - they tested them today.

 

I think that's all that's new that I can think of.

 

I'll also add that the field looks pretty good. It's not as bright green as we're used to (even by opening day standards) because as I wrote above, the grass has not completely taken to the sand yet.

 

Also, while I was there today they were raking/packing/raking/watering ( wash rinse repeat..) the infield dirt as well as painting the OPENING DAY symbol behind the plate. They were also mowing the checkerboard pattern into the grass while I was there - it looked pretty good.

Edited March 29, 2008 by Roast

[David]

Nice post, Roast. Any pics?

[Roast]

Nice post, Roast. Any pics?

nah. I was going to whip out my cell phone while i was on break but the sun was giving my phones craptastic camera fits.

[Cubbies2238]

Here is how the field looks:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/Cubbies2166/untitled-1.jpg

[David]

The lurker comes through with the pics. I forgot all about that cam.

 

Bullpens are gonna look weird with that warning track now.

[Roast]

Looks about right. When I was leaving they were just putting that green deal over the home plate area and finishing filling in the mlb logo on the opening day thing behind home plate.

[Roast]

The lurker comes through with the pics. I forgot all about that cam.

 

Bullpens are gonna look weird with that warning track now.

 

What I don't get is look at the part of the mound closest to the field. If a pitcher isn't careful, he could land on half grass half dirt. That could be dangerous.

[Cubbies2238]

Here is how the new seats look.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/Cubbies2166/untitled-2.jpg

[Roast]

Here is how the new seats look.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/Cubbies2166/untitled-2.jpg

Its akward to know that you could have been spying on all of us today while we were walking around the park.

 

Oh, and I had my first (two) wrigley field hotdog(s) today. Yummm.

[David]

Here is how the new seats look.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/Cubbies2166/untitled-2.jpg

Its akward to know that you could have been spying on all of us today while we were walking around the park.

 

Oh, and I had my first (two) wrigley field hotdog(s) today. Yummm.

 

 

I hate you..

 

Oh, well. That'll be me soon enough.

[Roast]

Here is how the new seats look.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/Cubbies2166/untitled-2.jpg

Its akward to know that you could have been spying on all of us today while we were walking around the park.

 

Oh, and I had my first (two) wrigley field hotdog(s) today. Yummm.

 

 

I hate you..

 

Oh, well. That'll be me soon enough.

They were having the concessions people "Practice" so that served as a free lunch for us. Nothing is better than a 87 dollar hotdog for free.

[TakeMeOutToTheBallGame]

It does look a lot different with the new warning track. The outline of the infield and around the plate is quite a bit different as well.

[Roast]

It does look a lot different with the new warning track. The outline of the infield and around the plate is quite a bit different as well.

Yep

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/wrigleyoldvnew.jpg

 

No pointless dirt circles. And the new home plate area is a perfect circle now.

[Roast]

Also, the BUDWEISER building across the street was getting a new roof today when I was there. Well, really just a new tarp over the roof. It still says budweiser but now it's got either a bottle in the background or just the Anheuser-Busch symbol, I can't tell. But there's definitely more going on in the background opposed to just the word budweiser.

 

Lots of little (and big) changes this season.

[bhogg]

those circles aren't pointless :)

 

The coaches hit infield practice from there.

[Roast]

those circles aren't pointless :)

 

The coaches hit infield practice from there.

Ah, thankyou. I always wondered what they were there for.

[bhogg]

With no circles comes no infield practice. With no infield practice comes terrible defense. With terrible defense comes losses. With losses comes another long season for Cub fans.

 

Thanks alot for the new field, morans!

[circlechange]

I can't wait until they start promoting Opening Month.

 

I hate most changes at Wrigley, but I kinda like the warning track look.

[Roast]

I can't wait until they start promoting Opening Month.

 

I hate most changes at Wrigley, but I kinda like the warning track look.

It took me a while to get used to today. When I first saw it I thought it was hideous. But it's growing on me.

[Wilson A2000]

Anyone want to wager on how long it will take for a fan in those new seats to get plunked by a pitch from the pen?