Not impressed with Dodgers, stadium remodel
My family decided to go to Dodger Stadium this past Wednesday and I agreed to go along peaceably, although with my blood simmering. I could not tell you, nor Dodgers Inc. what the Dodger organization could do to get back in good graces with me. That said, I was automatically going to be skeptical about the remodel of Dodger Stadium. The idea was to remodel Dodger Stadium to the way it looked on Opening Day, 1962.
New chairs were brought in. Gone are the bold colors of red, blue, orange and yellow. In their place are rather dull pastels of blues, greens and yellows. Beyond the visual aesthetics of the interior of the stadium (the exterior is still magnificent, with the exception of a faded "THINK BLUE" sign formerly reserved for Think Blue Week), the first impression of the stadium is the seating. In my opinion, the new seats are not that much comfortable than the old ones. The seat bottoms slant back, no doubt with the intention of comfort, however you're kind of forced back into your seat. Someone must have watched too many episodes of "The New Yankee Workshop," but lacked the master-craftsmanship of Norm Abram.
Next comes the sticker shock of the concession stand. Sure, the prices were high before, but at $4.50 for Dodger Dog and $4.50 for a Coke, it adds up fast. My family's conclusion, although it probably won't be final, is that it's getting too expensive to go to a baseball game.
Then there is the issue of advertising. Advertising along the outfield wall (which was introduced several seasons ago) has spawned overwhelming advertising between decks, more advertising on the scoreboard, advertising on Diamond Vision and advertising on, of all places, the top crossbar on the bullpen gates! As if there wasn't enough of the hideous advertising already, they had to add more which makes the idea of stadium remodel/restoration pointless.
Which brings us to the team itself. Although I have not paid much more than scant attention to Dodger news, the Dodgers have added supposedly big name players to the roster. The problem for me is I have no desire to root for these supposed big wigs. They don't add any attraction to the team at all. Nothing that I care to get excited about. Maybe in the eyes of other fans, the team is appealing, but as I said in December of last year, the Dodgers have a long way to go to get back in my good graces. I had no trouble rooting for the Cubs Wednesday.
New chairs were brought in. Gone are the bold colors of red, blue, orange and yellow. In their place are rather dull pastels of blues, greens and yellows. Beyond the visual aesthetics of the interior of the stadium (the exterior is still magnificent, with the exception of a faded "THINK BLUE" sign formerly reserved for Think Blue Week), the first impression of the stadium is the seating. In my opinion, the new seats are not that much comfortable than the old ones. The seat bottoms slant back, no doubt with the intention of comfort, however you're kind of forced back into your seat. Someone must have watched too many episodes of "The New Yankee Workshop," but lacked the master-craftsmanship of Norm Abram.
Next comes the sticker shock of the concession stand. Sure, the prices were high before, but at $4.50 for Dodger Dog and $4.50 for a Coke, it adds up fast. My family's conclusion, although it probably won't be final, is that it's getting too expensive to go to a baseball game.
Then there is the issue of advertising. Advertising along the outfield wall (which was introduced several seasons ago) has spawned overwhelming advertising between decks, more advertising on the scoreboard, advertising on Diamond Vision and advertising on, of all places, the top crossbar on the bullpen gates! As if there wasn't enough of the hideous advertising already, they had to add more which makes the idea of stadium remodel/restoration pointless.
Which brings us to the team itself. Although I have not paid much more than scant attention to Dodger news, the Dodgers have added supposedly big name players to the roster. The problem for me is I have no desire to root for these supposed big wigs. They don't add any attraction to the team at all. Nothing that I care to get excited about. Maybe in the eyes of other fans, the team is appealing, but as I said in December of last year, the Dodgers have a long way to go to get back in my good graces. I had no trouble rooting for the Cubs Wednesday.
posted by DodgersRepkofan @ 12:37 PM
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