New Dude Comments and Thoughts

[bulldogcountry1]

After spending the last two weekends at the new Dude, it's still pretty surreal to think that we have something that nice. I figured I would share a few thoughts.


- The stadium looks huge, but you always feel like you are right on top of the action walking around the concourse. The upper deck is pulled in close and will be a great view from any seat.

- The rows in the grandstand are nice and wide, making things more comfortable. There's probably 6" of more leg room than most stadiums I have been to.

- The berms seem to be popular. The RF berm corner is a great view of the whole field.

- The 1B line is an adventure with the bullpen and the circle. It will turn a lot of doubles into triples. The opposite is true for the 3B line. There is very little foul space, and the jog in the wall at the berm kicks the ball back towards the the LFer. Many double are going to be turned into singles or players being thrown out at second.

- The outfield lounge structure really cleans up the horizon from the grandstand, and you can hardly see the buildings beyond.

- The net was necessary and inevitable, but the way it zig-zags around the dugouts creates a situation where there are a significant chunk of seats where people have to look through 3 layers of net to see the scoreboard. I understand it was a challenging problem to work around, but that really needs addressing.

- The RF entry is spectacular. When you enter, you are just drawn to the rail to stand and take in all in. The only negative is that it's not very prominent at night from inside the stadium. Some strategic lighting could really dial it up a notch without being a distraction.

ETA:

- The center field restrooms seem a bit undersized for a large crowd.

 

[philduckworth]

It's pretty awesome. I even like the lounge.

I hope they can find a spot for another scoreboard. There are a lot of us in the outfield that can't see the main one. Maybe they can hang one from the upper deck like you see at a lot of MLB parks.

-Also, I hope they can incorporate an area for the kids to play. Maybe on the 3rd base side or behind the last row of loungers.

 

[The Peeper]

Kids area was shown down 3rd base line behind grandstand in original concept but that area hasn't been developed yet. As for the scoreboard, maybe they can bring out the old "John Grisham" one. It was hung to the west of the old pressbox area and supposedly funded by him because he couldn't see the big board in the outfield from his rig

 

[Arthur2478]

Kids area was shown down 3rd base line behind grandstand in original concept

The subsequent concepts (what was built) didn't include a kids area. I think the best we can hope for is something beyond the rigs in rightfield.

 

[The Fatboy]

Could have sworn they mentioned several times adding a kids area that had a view of the field so kids could play and parents could still watch the game

 

[Duke Humphrey]

I believe they are adding ribbon boards to upper deck

It's pretty awesome. I even like the lounge.

I hope they can find a spot for another scoreboard. There are a lot of us in the outfield that can't see the main one. Maybe they can hang one from the upper deck like you see at a lot of MLB parks.

That will serve as scoreboard, stats, etc

 

[paindonthurt_]

If you’ve been to the new stadium and don’t like it, it’s all on you.

LFL is better, safer and nicer. It allows for the have nots to watch games from the same view and feel as having a lounge.

Anyone griping abt it is only concerned with themselves and what they want.

 

[Arthur2478]

Initially yes and it was in the initial renderings, but I haven't heard a word about it since the initial release and it's not in the new renderings.

 

[HumpDawgy]

Let's get to the real important issues. How are the hot dogs and what do the cups smell like?

 

[bulldogcountry1]

Let's get to the real important issues. How are the hot dogs and what do the cups smell like?

The hot dogs smell like cups.**

 

[BossDawg78]

Could have sworn they mentioned several times adding a kids area that had a view of the field so kids could play and parents could still watch the game

You'd think an area for kids would be in the plans somewhere.

 

[MaroonBelle]

You'd think an area for kids would be in the plans somewhere.

I have thought that while the play area sounds good in theory it would inevitably devolve into a bunch of unsupervised children whose parents are letting the playground be their babysitter while the parents enjoy the lounge or the grandstands. The first time a child gets hurt on equipment or God forbid gets taken that becomes a liability for the University when the whole point of changing the lounge was to reduce liability. You can put up a sign that says NO UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN but even then someone on staff or security has to police that. Also, if the parents are even at the play area with them their attention will likely be divided between their child and the game.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Kids dont belong at games.....




Things I learnt on the pack.

 

[BossDawg78]

I have thought that while the play area sounds good in theory it would inevitably devolve into a bunch of unsupervised children whose parents are letting the playground be their babysitter while the parents enjoy the lounge or the grandstands. The first time a child gets hurt on equipment or God forbid gets taken that becomes a liability for the University when the whole point of changing the lounge was to reduce liability. You can put up a sign that says NO UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN but even then someone on staff or security has to police that. Also, if the parents are even at the play area with them their attention will likely be divided between their child and the game.

Good point. Doesn't UM have one at their park? Wonder how it works out for them.

 

[philduckworth]

I have thought that while the play area sounds good in theory it would inevitably devolve into a bunch of unsupervised children whose parents are letting the playground be their babysitter while the parents enjoy the lounge or the grandstands. The first time a child gets hurt on equipment or God forbid gets taken that becomes a liability for the University when the whole point of changing the lounge was to reduce liability. You can put up a sign that says NO UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN but even then someone on staff or security has to police that. Also, if the parents are even at the play area with them their attention will likely be divided between their child and the game.

Yeah, that would be terrible if kids were able to play a whiffle ball game or play catch during the game. SMH at society today.