SB 2007: Hosting or Not? NOT!

[rhineaux]

_ The playing surface will be done in the off-season. The lights will be the biggest deal after that since there are minimum light standards that go into effect next season.

The press facility has to happen, but that won't happen by next year, not if you want to do it right. Gotta figure out a plan for auxilliary media seating.

We host the Sun Belt Tournament next year, so we'll get a trial run as far as the press is concerned. _

Are they gonna put down that field turf stuff like someone had mentioned, or is it gonna be a grading of the field with new grass planted???

[rhineaux]

_ Are there any plans to expand the stadium as far as seating is concerned? I know it takes a lot of money, but are there any firm plans that you know of? _

I don't think that we need to spend too much more money on seats just yet, at least until we are averaging 3200-3500 per game. I know it would look better for regional purposes, but if we hosted OSU and LM, and had a team like the Aggies come in, I think we would have been able to handle it. The games would likely have been sold out...but i think that we would have made it through.

And if seating were to be done, I would think that it needs to go up and back, and maybe out a little. I would hate to have a grandstand extended outwards where the bleachers are located, just because they're new and we spent somem hard earned money on them, but I think an outward expansion of the press box, with suites on the outside of that, with another grandstand built on top, similar to what i think USM is doing, would be what we need. if we get more seats, we need a lot more of the good ones, not more of the bleacher ones. Plus going up and back with the grandstand would also help with making more room for the concessions, and restrooms. If somehow the grandstand was extended towards the right field bleachers, then something could be done there, such as some lockerrooms, to accomodate the visiting teams, and it could link up with the dugout. It would be hard to do it on the left field side because the only walkway from teh grandstand area and those baseline seats is between the bleachers and the cajuns clubhouse.

All just ideas, but like i said, can't seat expanding seating anytime soon.

[CajunProud]

_ I don't think that we need to spend too much more money on seats just yet, at least until we are averaging 3200-3500 per game. I know it would look better for regional purposes, but if we hosted OSU and LM, and had a team like the Aggies come in, I think we would have been able to handle it. The games would likely have been sold out...but i think that we would have made it through.

And if seating were to be done, I would think that it needs to go up and back, and maybe out a little. I would hate to have a grandstand extended outwards where the bleachers are located, just because they're new and we spent somem hard earned money on them, but I think an outward expansion of the press box, with suites on the outside of that, with another grandstand built on top, similar to what i think USM is doing, would be what we need. if we get more seats, we need a lot more of the good ones, not more of the bleacher ones. Plus going up and back with the grandstand would also help with making more room for the concessions, and restrooms. If somehow the grandstand was extended towards the right field bleachers, then something could be done there, such as some lockerrooms, to accomodate the visiting teams, and it could link up with the dugout. It would be hard to do it on the left field side because the only walkway from teh grandstand area and those baseline seats is between the bleachers and the cajusn clubhouse.

All just ideas, but like i said, can't seat expanding seating anytime soon. _

Great ideas. Thanks.

[Cajun90]

_ I don't think that we need to spend too much more money on seats just yet, at least until we are averaging 3200-3500 per game. I know it would look better for regional purposes, but if we hosted OSU and LM, and had a team like the Aggies come in, I think we would have been able to handle it. The games would likely have been sold out...but i think that we would have made it through.

And if seating were to be done, I would think that it needs to go up and back, and maybe out a little. I would hate to have a grandstand extended outwards where the bleachers are located, just because they're new and we spent somem hard earned money on them, but I think an outward expansion of the press box, with suites on the outside of that, with another grandstand built on top, similar to what i think USM is doing, would be what we need. if we get more seats, we need a lot more of the good ones, not more of the bleacher ones. Plus going up and back with the grandstand would also help with making more room for the concessions, and restrooms. If somehow the grandstand was extended towards the right field bleachers, then something could be done there, such as some lockerrooms, to accomodate the visiting teams, and it could link up with the dugout. It would be hard to do it on the left field side because the only walkway from teh grandstand area and those baseline seats is between the bleachers and the cajusn clubhouse.

All just ideas, but like i said, can't seat expanding seating anytime soon. _

At Olsen field they have bleachers almost identical to ours down the first base line. They poured concrete under the bleachers and then put metal building siding on both sides and the back. Not only did it improve the apperance tremendously it also allowed for a lot of storage area under the bleachers. Probably not a priority with the budget constraints but it sure was nice and it might be one of those things that you could get in-kind donations to complete.

[HTownCajunII]

_ A&M has a beautiful stadium. I have to give them that. _

Besides the obvious, the thing I was looking forward to this weekend was a chance for Cajun fans to see Rice's Reckling Park-----easily the nicest college ballpark I have experienced.

[cajundiehard]

_ The playing surface will be done in the off-season. The lights will be the biggest deal after that since there are minimum light standards that go into effect next season.

The press facility has to happen, but that won't happen by next year, not if you want to do it right. Gotta figure out a plan for auxilliary media seating.

We host the Sun Belt Tournament next year, so we'll get a trial run as far as the press is concerned. _

Thanks BOP! Glad to hear the playing surface will be done this offseason! What about the lights? Are there plans to upgrade lighting THIS offseason as well? We need to be able to host next year!