This is the part where I talk about how the SECT should move to Autozone...

[Xenomorph]

That stadium in Memphis is outstanding at every level and is the best location possible for the SECT. There are over 4K hotel rooms in downtown Memphis alone, most of which would be in easy walking distance. Great dining, great bars, great atmosphere.

What's the problem? Every time this conversation is brought up, the RV jockeys come out saying it's not conducive to them. Ok.. but I'll bet you'll solve the problems somehow.

I'd bust my hump to be there for Thursday and Friday baseball. Watch two games, then go out into downtown Memphis for something to eat and come back later for the night caps? Yes, please.

I won't rag on the Hoover Met too hard... it's been a good home for the tournament. But it's time to move it to Autozone.

 

[Drebin]

That stadium in Memphis is outstanding at every level and is the best location possible for the SECT. There are over 4K hotel rooms in downtown Memphis alone, most of which would be in easy walking distance. Great dining, great bars, great atmosphere.

What's the problem? Every time this conversation is brought up, the RV jockeys come out saying it's not conducive to them. Ok.. but I'll bet you'll solve the problems somehow.

I'd bust my hump to be there for Thursday and Friday baseball. Watch two games, then go out into downtown Memphis for something to eat and come back later for the night caps? Yes, please.

I won't rag on the Hoover Met too hard... it's been a good home for the tournament. But it's time to move it to Autozone.

Couldn't agree more. It makes too much sense.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Cant wait for the replies about how Memphis is a dump....

i totally agree with you. Autozone is a fantastic venue in a great location. Nothing like eating some Rendezvous and walking around the corner to Autozone.

 

[patdog]

And this is the point where I talk about how youre wasting your time cause it's not gonna ever move. Until it moves to the new stadium in downtown Birmingham.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

The biggest thing I'm worried about keeping the tournament at Hoover, is that it'll deteriorate like Smith-Wills did.

 

[patdog]

Which is why I think it will eventually move to the new downtown stadium. Even though they have pledged they would not bid on it so Hoover could keep it. The Hoover Met will never deteriorate anywhere near as bad as Smith Wills though.

 

[Xenomorph]

I'm not one to beat the drum too often for Memphis...

Ordinarily I don't enjoy having to drive up there for work or personal. But the SECT?.. I'd jump on that like white on rice.

 

[gtowndawg]

Took the wife and kids last night and had a great time.

It would be fun, no doubt about it.

 

[Xenomorph]

I don't know..

"The Hoover Met will never deteriorate anywhere near as bad as Smith Wills though."

I bet they just lost 80% of their revenue. Wouldn't surprise me if pretty soon they don't have enough money for Roundup to spray the weeds in the parking lot, even.

 

[RocketDawg]

My main objection would be lack of parking. Plus, all those hotel rooms are really expensive being where they are ... just a guess, probably twice as much as rooms in Hoover/Birmingham. And they (Hoover) have a really nice stadium, or it was the one time I was there. Hoover is also more centrally located to most of the SEC teams (I think ... haven't plotted it on a map). Never been to Autozone but I've been in the area (Beale Street) and it would be a good second choice if they wanted to move.

 

[RocketDawg]

I'm not big into stadiums downtown because they are so inconvenient (parking, primarily). I think the Barons are making a mistake in moving out of Hoover. Huntsville wants to do the same thing ... build a stadium in or near downtown Huntsville. It's true that the current stadium has deteriorated to the point of being a dump, but I think it's in an excellent location.

I suppose the powers that be think a downtown stadium will help revitalize the urban core. And maybe that's true, but I don't like the idea.

 

[esplanade91]

Ordinarily I don't enjoy having to drive up there for work or personal. But the SECT?.. I'd jump on that like white on rice.

On cue I'll say I can't stand spending more than 5 minutes in that 2nd rate Detroit-esk town, but I don't think there could be a better site for the SECT. Aside from having to drive though everything else to get there, I've always had fun downtown (but not on Beale). The leadership in Memphis will never pursue it though so it's a moot point.

Zephyr's stadium though... Hell, even Trustmark.

It's never leaving Hoover. SEC office is set in their ways. I've been praying for the discussion of the football championship moving to NOLA too but that will never happen either.

I just don't see how they see the need and benefit ($$$$) of moving the basketball tourny every few years but not the other two popular sports.

 

[hatfieldms]

There is plenty of parking.

If you stay in the hotels down there you can walk, and if not there are numerous parking garages all around there

 

[RocketDawg]

Zephyr's stadium is probably big enough at about 10K, but isn't Trustmark only about 5,500? That's too small.

 

[esplanade91]

Zephyr's stadium is probably big enough at about 10K, but isn't Trustmark only about 5,500? That's too small.

Never been, but I guess that is too small. Had no clue it was that small.

How big is Hank Aaron?

My point is there are a lot of nice parks around the south. While I would be on board having it in Memphis, there are 100 cities that would try harder to get the SECT than the city of Memphis.

 

[RocketDawg]

OK. Like I said, I've only been there once. I know that Hoover has a large parking lot on-site, with very easy walking to the stadium. And when I went a few years ago, it was only $2 ... probably about $5 now.

Change of venue to Memphis might be nice though. Would I need a bodyguard? .....

 

[RocketDawg]

That's what Wikipedia had, as I recall, when I looked it up prior to the Governor's Cup game.

Had to look up Hank Aaron ... never heard of it. Looks like it's 6K ... too small also, but a nice looking place, as is Trustmark.
http://www.ballparkreviews.com/mobile/haaron.htm

 

[Xenomorph]

You need better directions...

Because yesterday I drove straight up I-55. Stayed on it to Riverside. Took a right on Beale. Took a right on S. 2nd. Pulled straight into a parking garage. Got out, ate at BB Kings and walked the 3 blocks to the stadium.

I didn't exactly drive through Orange Mound....

 

[drummerdawg]

Memphis would be a great place for it. There's actually alot more parking than you would think. Think of all the things Memphis hosts, music fest, concerts, grizzlies games, numerous concerts, ect...I think they can handle the 8 to 10k people the sec baseball tournament would bring

 

[Ishmael]

I'll just add my name to the list of people agreeing.

Autozone Park is a great stadium in a convenient location in a town with a lot of varied SEC allegiances. There is plenty of parking within 3-5 blocks, and I suspect traffic problems after games would be less than at Hoover. I believe leadership in Memphis actually bid on the SEC tournament 3-5 (?) years ago, but due to the SEC office being in Birmingham, didn't get it. If I recall, Memphis put in a competitive bid, but perhaps Kyle Veazey can remind us of what happened (I seem to recall he wrote some articles about it at the time).

 

[KurtRambis4]

Come

on you're just opposed to it because it will turn a 90 minute trip into a 3.5 hour trip.

 

[patdog]

Trusmark is more like 7,000 - 8,000. Still too small though.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

I'm not big into stadiums downtown because they are so inconvenient (parking, primarily). I think the Barons are making a mistake in moving out of Hoover. Huntsville wants to do the same thing ... build a stadium in or near downtown Huntsville. It's true that the current stadium has deteriorated to the point of being a dump, but I think it's in an excellent location.

I suppose the powers that be think a downtown stadium will help revitalize the urban core. And maybe that's true, but I don't like the idea.

So being inconvenient completely trumps the idea that a stadium built downtown will help to revitalize the urban core? It starts from the middle and builds out and most people in planning professions understand that. It's VERY important to locate venues such as baseball parks in urban centers. How are the Baron's making a big mistake by causing you to spend ten extra minutes to find a parking spot? Needs like this will be addressed (i'm sure) and the slight inconvenience does not outweigh the benefits to the entire city.

 

[patdog]

Suburban stadiums are only more convenient for the people who live in those particular suburbs. Trustmark is a great park, but it's significantly more inconvenient for most people than Smith-Wills was. I'm guessing RocketDawg hasn't seen any of the new downtown stadiums that have been going up the last decade. For the most part, they are outstanding.

ETA: I've never had any problem parking in downtown Birmingham for any of the events I've been to at the BJCCC. And I've been to a lot of stuff there over the years. It's a whole lot more convenient than driving all the way to Hoover and then taking a 1-mile 2-lane road that's the only entrance to or exit from the stadium.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Somehow I thought being able to walk to the game, to bars, to restaurants, hotels, etc. was the definition of convenience. I guess not.

 

[Arthur2478]

My main objection would be lack of parking.

The FedEx Forum is 3 blocks away and seats over 18K. A capacity crowd at AutoZone would be in the 14-15K range. Parking should be a non factor.

 

[PBRME]

Memphis would be a great place for it. There's actually alot more parking than you would think. Think of all the things Memphis hosts, music fest, concerts, grizzlies games, numerous concerts, ect...I think they can handle the 8 to 10k people the sec baseball tournament would bring

In 2011 Memphis held Musicfest, Redbirds Baseball, and Grizzlies vs Spurs playoff game all on the same night. I forgot the estimated number of people downtown but it was around 100k. Riverside Dr was closed, and traffic wasn't bad considering. There was still plenty of places to park. Plus you have the trolleys if you have to park a long way off. The SEC tournament would be a breeze.

 

[00Dawg]

The problem with the new downtown park in Birmingham is three-fold:
1. They made it too small to bid on the SECT. It only seats 8.5k. It would have to add at least another 2k seats to have a shot at hosting. There is plenty of room to expand at the moment, but I've heard nothing about it being considered, and have no idea where the money would come from.
2. Parking. They initially advertised the stadium as having 3k spots within "a 5-minute walk" from the stadium at a $5 charge per slot, which should be plenty for a capacity crowd. But it wasn't. A number of nearby entrepreneurs were charging double that for the home opener, and selling out. Whether the 3k was a complete exaggeration or the lots were simply too far away, I'm not sure. I can't imagine the jumble that would result from trying to host a SECT with parking as it is now. If they really had a vision, they would've gotten more surrounding lots and prepared for the day when hosting the SECT was actually a possibility.
3. Self-immolation. All the projected figures used to justify the move ignored that Birmingham was taking this money from what amounts to an independent suburb with close financial ties, and expecting the same attendance as Hoover supported. Maybe attendance will stay up, maybe it won't. If the SECT does ever move out of Birmingham, the city itself can share in the blame. Meanwhile, the last project that originated downtown and involved taking money that was going to nearby municipalities was the sewer conflagration.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

And all the RVs could either park at the Pyramid, or in Tunica. Though I've always found the RV argument the dumbest one, as those fans spend almost zero money in the host city.

 

[PBRME]

And all the RVs could either park at the Pyramid, or in Tunica. Though I've always found the RV argument the dumbest one, as those fans spend almost zero money in the host city.

There's plenty of mobile hookups in Frayser.

 

[MzTerry]

I have been to two sell-out games at the new Barons stadium - showed up at game time to both and had absolutely no issue parking for free both times. Now the lines are a different story, but absolutely no issue parking whatsoever. Much ado about nothing imo. The RV issue would be an entirely different story, but as far as regular Barons games go I think the new park is going to continue to thrive unless the lines do not improve (which I'm sure they will, kinks & ****).

 

[vandaldawg]

Somehow I thought being able to walk to the game, to bars, to restaurants, hotels, etc. was the definition of convenience. I guess not.

It is. You are right. They are wrong.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

Suburban stadiums are only more convenient for the people who live in those particular suburbs. Trustmark is a great park, but it's significantly more inconvenient for most people than Smith-Wills was. I'm guessing RocketDawg hasn't seen any of the new downtown stadiums that have been going up the last decade. For the most part, they are outstanding.
QUOTE]

I still think Jackson missed out on a huge opportunity to locate the stadium downtown. It's sad really.

 

[gtowndawg]

And when Bass Pro takes over the Pyramid

there will be a lot of people that would take the trolley down between games, things like that. Obviously there's other things to do, just saying there will be a draw for anyone's taste. Whether it's Beale Street or checking out the latest huntin' stuff. I really think it would go over well.

 

[Xenomorph]

Absolutely. *

 

[00Dawg]

The opener was the only sell-out to date, but the other was close enough not to invalidate your point. I do know a lot of people did have to pay for parking, and paid more than the $5 charge that was supposed to cover all the 3k "official" spots. The good news for the Barons is they can average a lot less than they have to date (6k average) and still be viable.

 

[engie]

I'm all for it.

Autozone is the nicest, most expensive Minor League park ever created -- and it could use additional revenue...

 

[jamdawg96]

Zephyr Field is big enough, but it'd be the same kinda atmosphere as Hoover... way the hell out in Metairie.

Like the SEC Hoops Tourney, half the fun of going (for me, atleast) is being able to enjoy some nightlife nearby. Hoover (B'ham, in general) just doesn't get it done in that regard. Memphis might not be as exciting as NOLA or ATL, but they have a nice, downtown ballpark that's just the right size and plenty of eating/drinking options nearby to enjoy before and after the games. Is there a more ideal situation elsewhere?

 

[Drebin]

I'm all for it.

Autozone is the nicest, most expensive Minor League park ever created -- and it could use additional revenue...

Fun facts: Autozone Park is now 13 years old (!), and some of it has become outdated (for example, the in-wall scoreboards don't really work anymore and they still have dated advertising, like signs for the old Grand Casino Tunica, which hasn't been around for years). It was designed similarly to Camden Yards, and if you've never been, the sight lines are amazing. You can get up and get a beer or a hot dog, and still see the game from the concession areas due to the open concourses. They ripped out the RF bleachers and replaced them with a picnic/pavilion area, which is better suited for diminished attendance numbers for the Redbirds, but it also diminished stadium capacity. They just installed a 60x60 HD board in the outfield which is far away the biggest in minor league ball. Lots of wrigley-esque apartments and rooftop viewing parties from the outfield. Easy walking distance to Beale Street, tons of parking and hotels. The playing surface is nicer and drains better than 80% of major league parks. Plenty of luxury suites (over 40), and an air-conditioned club level with 2000 seats. The stadium is very accessible and in a very safe area. It's one of the few things that Memphis has ever actually gotten right.

It is such a no-brainer to relocate the tournament to Memphis. It's retarded that it hasn't been done.

 

[RocketDawg]

No, I didn't say that. If building it downtown really helps the area, I'm OK with. I just don't like the idea when there are easier and more fiscally responsible options. But as long as they keep it out of the "hoods" and it's safe to go, I don't object all that much. I'm not sure downtown stadiums are "very important" ... they're not used that much. It's not that big an issue in Huntsville since downtown isn't very big, and the whole city is basically a huge suburb of nothing.

Time looking for parking space isn't an issue (although it's a pain), but parking proximity to the stadium is. Who wants to walk several blocks, at night, downtown? And some of us can't walk very far, but don't really qualify as "handicapped".

Everybody has their reasons, most of which are legitimate. Actually, I couldn't care less what Birmingham does, as long as other taxpayers in Alabama (like me) don't have to foot the bill. But back to the original idea of the SECT in Memphis ... sounds like a decent idea to me. But might Nashville be better?