Left Field lounge comments

[randystewart]

In these "listening sessions" there seems to be a lot of comments about allowing outfield lounge access for everyone, and a lot of complaining that you have to know someone to participate out there.
I hope our folks are smart enough to know that taking this suggestion would kill everything that makes the left field lounge what it is. (No, I don't have a spot in LFL). Also, isn't there already a right field deck open to anyone?
Judging by all of the crap being spewed in these sessions, I'm betting the AD regrets doing them. One thing is for sure, they wouldn't be doing these unless they were setting us up for something......

 

[esplanade91]

Am I missing something? Sessions? I've been out of the loop since I moved I guess.

There's probably 30 feet worth of fence and deck in right field without a lounge anyone can use. Behind that is a big hill where anyone can put a tent.

My first 3 years in Starkville I didn't know anyone with a lounge and never attended a game. My senior year someone's dad couldn't make it so "donated" it to our fraternity and I didn't miss a game. I also become best friends with everyone who's lounge was next to ours, so I get what you mean about it being a place where anyone can go already but it's not...

All good things must come to an end, and MSU always broadcasts it beforehand by bringing it in discussions attempting to somehow make it the fans' idea. *Not saying LFL is ending, just saying they'll probably screw it up beyond recognition*

 

[engie]

The exclusivity of the lounges is a problem -- even though I have free reign on 2 of them, I remember what it was like not to.

I don't know why they need to "go away" though. Can have a dedicated "alumni" section exactly like the dedicated student section that WILL be coming in deep right, where there is a TON of room once you come to terms with the fact that the road and scoreboard will probably need to move...

You could even put a "restaurant" ALA Trustmark Park in an "alumni" section out there...

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

The exclusivity of the lounges is part of the appeal. You can't have skyboxes for everybody- it just loses its luster. Especially with something that has as much history as the LFL.

A terraced area in right, with room for students and people who can come to the game early with a chair and cooler would satisfy whatever "exclusivity"concerns there msy be.

 

[engie]

The exclusivity of the lounges is part of the appeal. You can't have skyboxes for everybody- it just loses its luster. Especially with something that has as much history as the LFL.

A terraced area in right, with room for students and people who can come to the game early with a chair and cooler would satisfy whatever
"exclusivity"concerns there msy be.

Pretty bad comparison. Lounges are currently going for $200/yr last I checked. What's the price tag on skyboxes? SEVERAL thousand. Anyone can afford a lounge spot in their current configuration -- but people don't and never will have that opportunity unless they are in a NARROW age demographic in which LFL was being built and expanded into what it currently is. A "birthday" makes lounges exclusive. Giving large sums of money to improve MSU makes skyboxes exclusive. Surely you can understand the difference.

The "exclusivity" of the lounges are the appeal? No -- all the "exclusivity" is actually doing is alienating a WHOLE generation of potential MSU fans that aren't personally connected to one of a couple hundred people out there in some way.

There IS A PLACE for the LFL in some semblance of it's current configuration at Dudy Noble and all the people, like myself, that enjoy it. No doubt. But there damn sure needs to be a place of equal "enjoyment factor" for everyone else that wants to come to our games. There currently isn't. Not even close. There is standing room only space on the side of a hill where they can only half *** see anything in total discomfort. That's it if they want to enjoy beverages in the outfield. There is nowhere at all for non-Greek students. There's nowhere for young alumni. There's nowhere for joe blow sidewalk MSU fan. And there's nowhere to put them in the current configuration. In the renovation, there WILL BE somewhere for them to go and enjoy the outfield -- and there will be some sort of compromise from the LFL owners to make that happen, whether they like it or not -- whatever that entails, be it berms or whatever. And it will be the BEST MOVE for MSU going forward...

People concerned about their "exclusivity" instead of making MSU baseball the best it can be for the next generation going forward are going to be part of the problem. Not the solution.

 

[dawgstudent]

I think a baseball skybox is around 15K.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I was comparing exclusivity, not price. I think that was pretty clear... But even in that regard, it's not the best comparison, because it's a LOT easier to get into a lounge somewhere than into a box.

The exclusivity isn't a problem, its a natural part of supply and demand. There will always be a limited number of LFL spots. If you base it on giving instead of the way it is now, then you still aren't getting in unless you know one of a handful of folks. Which is the exact same way it is now. So what are you suggesting it be based on? I think the price needs to go up, but I imagine everyone out there will ante up.

Did you completely miss where I said a terraced area in right (much like the Outfield Up North) would provide an area for those who don't "lounge"?

 

[godlluB]

When they were first built, I was told that it was $120,000 for a 10 year lease, plus 10 season tickets per year. But I reserve the right to have been misinformed.

 

[57stratdawg]

Yeah the fence/road will be pushed back at some point is what I was told for students. I haven't heard anything being built structurally, but I'm assuming something is coming. I'll be interested to see how we do the dirt work with a student area over there.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Is the exclusivity of Club Level and Sky Boxes a problem in baseball and other sports?

They should charge a hell of a lot more than they do for those lounges. Its money being thrown away right now that would be much needed revenue.

I do agree that there needs to be a common area though for the average/everyday fans.

 

[esplanade91]

I somewhat agree. CHEAP Brooklyn Nets season tickets cost almost $15,000 a year. I understand that Mississippi State baseball isn't NBA basketball in New York but it's just crazy to me that you could get a skybox for one of the top 5 NCAA baseball teams from last year for less than nosebleed seats for the Nets.

Then again we already have a problem with no one using the boxes (regardless if they pay for them or not). I don't think jacking up the price will matter there.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

I've always imagined how awesome it would be if we could have a MiLB style grandstand to go with LFL, and really, I don't see any reason why they couldn't/wouldn't do that.

There needs to be some reasonable give and take between the administration and the rig owners. The administration needs to realize that this is the most important and unique part of our entire sports history, so it absolutely must stay in some capacity. The LFL people need to be open and willing to change their rigs some to meet safety regulations or other standards that the athletic department may have, instead of losing their heads every time anyone suggests improving the Lounge. People also need to realize that the administration want to make the Lounge more inclusive, and that's okay. Just hear them out and see what they have to say.

The bottom line is both sides need to understand that this can work out great for everyone if we just cooperate and work together.

 

[randystewart]

Again, I don't have access to a lounge (sit in section E) so my argument is not based on me having some sort of exclusivity. Taking away the lounges/making half of the outfield "common" space would completely kill the atmosphere of the lounge unless it was a big weekend. The great thing about the lounge as it stands is that those folks (mostly) show up for weekends and even some mid week games. The only concern over the LFL that makes any sense to me is the safety concern, but that can be dealt with in ways that don't necessarily change the atmosphere. Just because a few people get their feelings hurt over not knowing someone out there doesn't mean that we need to mess with the ONE thing that has made Dudy Noble what it is today.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

We need to start over. I think this is clear to most people.

 

[SignalToNoise]

+1

 

[engie]

I was comparing exclusivity, not price.

How can you do one without the other? PRICE is the only FAIR way to define exclusivity. Exclusivity to almost TOTAL enjoyment of our outfield based on when a person was born IS ********. What if the "current students" like myself about 2005 when the Junction was completed were able to "claim" their tailgating spot for football -- and allowed to keep that spot forever and ever -- provided they paid a $200 yearly fee -- regardless of how many games they actually came to? That'd be the same thing as the left field lounges.

But even in that regard, it's not the best comparison, because it's a LOT easier to get into a lounge somewhere than into a box.

Not really true. I gained access to a 3B box last year -- and have an open invitation going forward to all series within reason SIMPLY by knowing and meeting the right people. Not much different than how connections happen in the lounges really. I guess you could argue that knowing one of probably 50-60 people in the boxes that can hand you a ticket is more exclusive than knowing the 3-400 in the lounges that can invited you to sit out there. But the difference in how it actually happens is negligible at best.

The exclusivity isn't a problem, its a natural part of supply and demand. There will always be a limited number of LFL spots. If you base it on giving instead of the way it is now, then you still aren't getting in unless you know one of a handful of folks. Which is the exact same way it is now. So what are you suggesting it be based on? I think the price needs to go up, but I imagine everyone out there will ante up.

Price goes up -- lounge height and safety is restricted to make way for both a 360* concourse all the way around the stadium and a student section + a general admission outfield area in right where people can gain the same basic enjoyment of the lounges -- even if they don't know anyone.

Did you completely miss where I said a terraced area in right (much like the Outfield Up North) would provide an area for those who don't "lounge"?

No -- I saw it. It got lost somewhere in there where you sounded like an Ole Miss stereotype in favor of excluding people from a consistent enjoyment of Dudy Noble -- simply based on when they were born and who they know.

That's been a HUGE PROBLEM at Dudy Noble for a very long time now -- and there's a whole bunch of Ole Miss fans today because they could go drink beer and grill in that outfield EXACTLY like everyone else -- while they had no place to truly enjoy Dudy Noble.

 

[engie]

Again, I don't have access to a lounge (sit in section E) so my argument is not based on me having some sort of exclusivity. Taking away the lounges/making half of the outfield "common" space would completely kill the atmosphere of the lounge unless it was a big weekend. The great thing about the lounge as it stands is that those folks (mostly) show up for weekends and even some mid week games. The only concern over the LFL that makes any sense to me is the safety concern, but that can be dealt with in ways that don't necessarily change the atmosphere. Just because a few people get their feelings hurt over not knowing someone out there doesn't mean that we need to mess with the ONE thing that has made Dudy Noble what it is today.

So what about the non-Greek students and alumni that don't know anyone that DO NOT and WILL NOT(in the future) come to MSU baseball games because they don't know one of a couple hundred people? I've got dozens of friends that fall in that category...

People need perspective. Go sit in the outfield at Ole Miss both in their alumni section and student section without noses poked up in the air -- and people will see that there are ALOT of advantages to their way of doing things.

What I want for MSU is the ability to do BOTH -- and it needed to be done 10 years ago if not longer. If done correctly, you are looking at telling 2-3 lounges to "shorten their height" in right field -- and you are actually offsetting NO ONE. You can even build "tiers" in left -- so another level of lounges can be added deeper in order to allow MORE lounges.

And I TOTALLY disagree that a "common" space will, in ANY way, hurt atmosphere. It'll bring quadruple the student involvement(if not more). Why would it kill our atmosphere during midweeks and average weekend games -- when "common" space has made Swayze a BETTER day-to-day atmosphere than Dudy Noble. That's an inconvenient truth to many of you -- but it is still a reality at this point regardless of how many people went to SBW and Regionals -- and base their thoughts on that rather than the average weekends...

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

You're right, we should just tear down the grandstand and rebuild everything in the outfield. Because heaven forbid someone have to sit anywhere but behind the outfield fence. They obviously could never feel a connection with MSu baseball.

 

[godlluB]

Actually, several of the lounges in right field are sitting somewhat precariously on the side of a steep hill. If that area were landscaped such that the trailers sat on a flat surface, they'd already be 3-4 feet lower than they are now, they could just remove the steps that they use to get up from the deck level to the current trailer level. I'm not sure they'd need to actually modify the trailers much, if any. It would also make it a lot easier to get the trailers in and out. Then, you could build a retaining wall back around where the outer fence currently is located, move the fence out to the road, and with a little additional landscaping, voila! you have a new general admission area for people to hang out, let the kids play, and not have to know someone with a trailer.

 

[dawgoneyall]

What are the safety issues. The only event to occur was built by the school. I keep hearing about safety concerns but in almost forty years what has happened?

 

[dawgstudent]

From the meetings last night - I came away with this main idea - them completely starting over with the grandstand is a lot more likely than I thought previously. I would even say it's 50/50.

 

[randystewart]

them completely starting over with the grandstand is a lot more likely than I thought previously.

I have gotten this feeling as well, but I'm just not sure how that could happen. You'd have to find an alternate place to play for a year, and I just don't think that is something that you can do around Starkville. Plus, we are starting to have the foundation to be a contender for a few years to come, so I just don't see how you would step away from the Dude for a year.

 

[RobbieRandolph]

Worst. Logic. Ever.

 

[engie]

You're right, we should just tear down the grandstand and rebuild everything in the outfield. Because heaven forbid someone have to sit anywhere but behind the outfield fence. They obviously could never feel a connection with MSu baseball.

Straw manned into ridiculousness... With something I didn't say nor imply.

I guess we should keep everything the same --- since we no longer have the best college baseball attendance in the state -- what we are doing is obviously perfect**

The new grandstand is coming. People might as well get used to that idea. You don't hire the best baseball architects in the country -- give them parameter of making it the best stadium college baseball has ever seen -- and then saddle them with a terribly designed grandstand that's already 15 years outdated and basically precludes your one parameter from being achievable...

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

You fail at reading comprehension. You did completely miss where I mentioned the terraced right field. Because if you saw that, you would have known that I was making the same suggestion you were - that there should be an open terraced area, where fans can come on a first-come basis, to do the same "tailgating in the outfield" that the LFL provides. That's the only way to keep what we have in left, and add to the atmosphere in right.

I understand that you, feeling that someone was disagreeing with you, needed to argue for the sake of arguing. I mean, how could someone question any idea regarding baseball stadium renovation from the great engie, who drew some lines on some pictures of stadiums? I sure hope they put you and Todd on the design team, because I'm sure that no one else will think of having seats that actually face back toward the infield or having an open concourse with options at the concession stand...

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I really think that's the only way to go.

And that's a tall task, but to be among the best, I think we have to do what LSU did at the box. completely rebuild. Nice to hear that the decision makers are seriously considering all options.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

Well, you did say this:

There is nowhere at all for non-Greek students. There's nowhere for young alumni. There's nowhere for joe blow sidewalk MSU fan. And there's nowhere to put them in the current configuration. In the renovation, there WILL BE somewhere for them to go and enjoy the outfield

then this:

That's been a HUGE PROBLEM at Dudy Noble for a very long time now -- and there's a whole bunch of Ole Miss fans today because they could go drink beer and grill in that outfield EXACTLY like everyone else -- while they had no place to truly enjoy Dudy Noble.

and then this:

So what about the non-Greek students and alumni that don't know anyone that DO NOT and WILL NOT(in the future) come to MSU baseball games because they don't know one of a couple hundred people?

You clearly implied, at the very least, that you cannot totally enjoy a game or become connected to MSU baseball unless you get to experience hanging out in the LFL. There are lots of spaces besides the outfield for non-Greeks, alumni, and joe blows. Those spaces are called seats. Not everyone can sit in the LFL no matter how much you want them to, Obama... Just like not everyone can sit in the skybox or a club level. OH WAIT, did you see that? I just compared exclusivity without mentioning price - I didn't think that could be done...

And I wholeheartedly agree that the grandstand needs to be redone. But from what you're saying, why would we need to redo it? Because it doesn't even matter - if fans can't sit in the outfield, they'll never get the MSU baseball experience and won't care about coming back.

 

[engie]

The part of your argument I disagreed with was the bs of "exclusivity" being what makes the left field lounges great -- and that "that" somehow deserves some great deal of priority over making the experience great for other people that are currently excluded. I made that abundantly clear in every post here in the utmost detail in explaining why exclusivity in the outfield is a bad thing.

It's funny that I'm the one "arguing for the sake of arguing" -- yet you were the one that engaged the disagreement.

As far as your other stuff that comes off as insecure jealousy over literally nothing, thanks for reading, I guess. All those pictures have been posted by me on SPS consistently for several seasons now. Funny how much traction the once controversial and unpopular viewpoint now has among the masses and the powers that be when people looked at it on a deeper level.

No, I'm not the only one that figured it out nor do I think I'm in any way special on the matter. But I've got some perspective on the topic with the amount of time I've spent watching college baseball elsewhere and critiquing those facilities -- and I'm going to keep sharing it -- and doing everything I can to keep us on path to make Dudy Noble the greatest college baseball stadium for a new generation -- exactly like it was for my first 20 or so years of life.

 

[engie]

Well, you did say this:



then this:


and then this:


You clearly implied, at the very least, that you cannot totally enjoy a game or become connected to MSU baseball unless you get to experience hanging out in the LFL. There are lots of spaces besides the outfield for non-Greeks, alumni, and joe blows. Those spaces are called seats. Not everyone can sit in the LFL no matter how much you want them to, Obama... Just like not everyone can sit in the skybox or a club level. OH WAIT, did you see that? I just compared exclusivity without mentioning price - I didn't think that could be done...

And I wholeheartedly agree that the grandstand needs to be redone. But from what you're saying, why would we need to redo it? Because it doesn't even matter - if fans can't sit in the outfield, they'll never get the MSU baseball experience and won't care about coming back.

I never said a damn thing about "everybody having to have a spot in the lounges" nor did I imply anything of the sort. That's more straw man bs. I said that "EVERYONE NEEDS AN INCLUSIVE PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTFIELD IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE LOUNGES GET TO ENJOY THE OUTFIELD". There's a big difference between the two. Another words, I'm implying that the outfield isn't the property of the lounges -- and as it currently exists, the students and non-affiliates have basically no room, nor sight lines giving them the ability to enjoy the game on the level that people with lounges get to. Especially not in groups. That's ******** and is totally unfair. That's my only point.

If it requires offseating/upsetting a half dozen-dozen lounges for these groups to have inclusion in that outfield, so be it. It's got to happen. And I paid REAL close attention to this during the regionals with logistics issues to a berm in right. Not quite as easy as just adding them and being ready to go. A few lounges will be inconvenienced -- and the scoreboard will be raised or moved. That's basically got to happen to make for a decent section.

And I'm sorry -- sitting in bleachers and getting a crick in your neck basically by yourself isn't quite the draw for young alumni that sitting in the outfield getting soused with a bunch of females you don't know is. Inclusive berms give you that opportunity. 140 different lounges basically does not. At least not on the same scale.

 

[MStateFan22]

Gotta agree with this.

I enjoy going to a few games here and there. I don't know anyone in LFL and have only sat out there (RC spot) one time thanks to a friend of a friend.

Why would anyone want to mess up LFL just because some people don't have connections. LFL is unlike anywhere else that i know of. Can't people without connections just sit in the bleachers or grandstand? How many times a year is DNF so packed that there is no room other than standing in RF? If your reason is to be cool and drink out their then stick a small bottle of whiskey in your pocket and get their early to sit in the bleachers.

 

[engie]

No one wants to "mess up" LFL and how the heck that's being deciphered from what I'm saying is mind-boggling to me. I want the ability to include many more people in the experience of what makes our outfield great. If this inconveniences 40-60 people in current lounges in order to include 1500+ new people behind them, so be it.

It's amazing to me that somehow a tradition that's been modified and changed CONSTANTLY over the years is suddenly unmodifiable in ANY way when the very small modifications that many or us want makes Dudy Noble a MUCH better overall stadium and atmosphere. How do I know this? I've been to Swayze a bunch of times. And there's NO reason that we can't add what they currently have to what we already have in the outfield -- making it unquestionably the best baseball "tailgating" atmosphere out there again. Lately, outside of 2 weekends a year, I hate to burst everybody's bubble -- but it hasn't been.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

From the meetings last night - I came away with this main idea - them completely starting over with the grandstand is a lot more likely than I thought previously. I would even say it's 50/50.

Regarding the grandstand- something has clearly happened with Stricklin in the past few weeks. I don't know if he had an epiphany, talked to some of the big boosters, or what, but his tone about DNF has changed dramatically since he did the interview with DS and HD6.

I'm glad he has changed his mind. We can talk all the **** we want about how great DNF was and how we were the first school to invest in baseball, but the fact of the matter is the Dude is terribly outdated compared to the top stadiums in the SEC. The only possible way we can have the best stadium in the country at this point is to build a new grandstand. Period. Building a new grandstand is by far the most logical choice, and I think it's coming.

 

[pmack65]

Well read all of the comments regarding what should be done or not done to the LFL. So since I am a trailer owner I guess I can add my two cents. I believe there should be an area established for students , alumni, fans and a playground area for kids. Bleachers should be done away with and sight lines improved. You could expand the right field area up by moving the fence back and over towards the existing bleachers, thus not having to adjust locations of a few trailers, although if necessary that wouldn't be an issue. Behind those bleachers there is nothing but grass. Lose the bleachers, add chair backs then add levels. I also believe that some trailers need to be reduced in height and other trailers need to constructed safer then what they are now.

Should everyone enjoy the experience of sitting in the outfield absolutely, no reason for anyone not to enjoy that atmosphere. The only thing that should be kept as exclusivity is a persons trailer. Sky box owners are absolutely the same way. It's our right to say who can and can't come on the trailers or in the sky boxes. That being said most trailer owners would have no problem expanding the LFL with a grandstand or some type setup for additional fans to view the game. So all this isn't a issue for trailer owners, in fact it's really not an issue at all. Something needs to be done especially since our program is back to being top notch. We need first class facility's all around the park but without losing the LFL atmosphere which is tied into the history of MSU baseball. The LFL is an icon in college baseball it's been copied in some form or another by schools that have new ballparks thus needs to be maintained as the best place to watch a college baseball game.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

Bleachers should be done away with and sight lines improved... Lose the bleachers, add chair backs then add levels.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. You really can't fix or "improve" the sightlines without tearing down the grandstand because they are already apart of the foundation of stadium, so putting down more chairbacks would be a monumental waste of money since those people won't be even be able to see the game. Even the architects have said multiple times already that our sightlines are extremely difficult to work with, and that's putting it mildly. This is one of the reasons (along with the outdated design and other things) why many of us are so adamant that a new grandstand is by far the best way to go with regards to infield seating. It's the best way to fix all the problems.

I also believe that some trailers need to be reduced in height and other trailers need to constructed safer then what they are now.

Agreed, and I think those are the main things the administration wants to change with regards to the Lounge. I think all this talk of "Our AD wants to get rid of LFL" is a little bit of an overreaction. I think Scott wants to make it safe, and he'll probably force some of the rigs to be shorter so that they can build a concourse behind them that people can see the field from. That's about it.

Something needs to be done especially since our program is back to being top notch. We need first class facility's all around the park but without losing the LFL atmosphere which is tied into the history of MSU baseball. The LFL is an icon in college baseball it's been copied in some form or another by schools that have new ballparks thus needs to be maintained as the best place to watch a college baseball game.

Agreed, and I hope/think that's exactly what's going to happen. We will have a new, top notch grandstand, new outfield areas for all fans, and still have LFL. We didn't hire the best baseball stadium architecture team to half-*** this. I believe it will be done right.

 

[MaronMatters]

In these "listening sessions" there seems to be a lot of comments about allowing outfield lounge access for everyone, and a lot of complaining that you have to know someone to participate out there.
I hope our folks are smart enough to know that taking this suggestion would kill everything that makes the left field lounge what it is.

I agree. I don't have a spot nor do I know of anyone who has a spot, but letting just anyone in would definitely ruin the exclusivity of it.

 

[RocketDawg]

In these "listening sessions" there seems to be a lot of comments about allowing outfield lounge access for everyone, and a lot of complaining that you have to know someone to participate out there.
I hope our folks are smart enough to know that taking this suggestion would kill everything that makes the left field lounge what it is. (No, I don't have a spot in LFL). Also, isn't there already a right field deck open to anyone?
Judging by all of the crap being spewed in these sessions, I'm betting the AD regrets doing them. One thing is for sure, they wouldn't be doing these unless they were setting us up for something......

I've only been to the LFL lounge once, and I was welcomed (or ignored) by everybody there. Of course there will be groups that socialize because the same folks are there all the time. Best I can tell by the one data point is that they're nice to anyone who goes there. Might be different if I decided to try to set up shop in someone else's spot, and that would be understandable.