Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

"I, for one, won't miss all the old multi-purpose (i.e. good for nothing) concrete doughnuts."

Unless that's where you shook hands with Roberto Clemente as a 12 year old! But, Ted, I know what you mean. Three Rivers was lousy for baseball, PNC Park is much nicer, more like our old Forbes field.

Well, Jim, I can't top that story. One of my all-time favorite players! The only ballpark remotely near me that can feed the need for nostalgia is Wrigley. But what's with the night games?

I may be a lone voice in the wilderness but here is a small vote for the concrete doughnuts. I liked the fact that there was symmetry and (somewhat) uniformity. It never made sense to me that some stadia had foul poles 260 feet away and some were 380 feet away. Or even worse, within the same stadium, the right field fence could be 340 feet and the left field fence could be 480 feet! Why should a right-handed hitter be at such a disadvantage compared to a left-handed hitter on the same team!? Ebbets Field had a lean-to against the outfield wall and Crosley Field had a hill leading up to the wall. !?
The bases are always the same distance. Outfield fences should also be somewhat similar.

I admit I like the new “retro” designs (Camden Yards, Jacobs, etc.) as long as they keep the individual character within reason.

The downtown ballpark phenomenon (San Diego's PetCo park being one the latest) reflects a revival of downtown and urban areas. Lots of those donuts were placed smack dab in the middle of suburbia in the 1960's, right were the white flighters were going to end their escape.

Now, the tables have turned; the suburbs have filled up and have become stagnant, crowded and unappealing. Downtowns are back; the redevelopment agencies are willing to toss serious coin around, the hipsters have returned and the mayors and city councils are basking their new-found glory.

And the parks are better.

I'm just glad I don't have to pay for San Diego's PetCo Park (I live outside the city).

John , I have many great memories of Tiger Stadium, my best, 5th game 84 Series lower deck center field bleacher seats. I liked the stadium far better when it had the old green wooden seats and the ushers dressed in green sort of like doormen at a fancy hotel. walking from the hall ways through the ramp that lead you out to your seats and this sight of the diamond and super green grass and the dirt infield even on a cloudy day it seemed the sun shined on Tiger Stadium. I wish they could preserve the place for it's historical significance to Baseball. I hope Fenway and Wrigly don't fall by the wayside

Tiger Stadium was like a baseball cathedral once you got in and started walking to your seat, and the view of the field started to open up, it was always breathtaking to me. It's been a long time since I felt like that at a park.

Yup. There is no words to truly describe that sight and the emotions of walking up the ramp and the field comes into view. Priceless.

"even on a cloudy day it seemed the sun shined on Tiger Stadium."