Fabacher Field really has potential to be an "okay" option. Look, obviously nothing can replace the Tigue. But, in looking at Fabacher, let's discuss the specifics.
- it already seats 1,400 fans.
- it's got a decent field in good shape.
- it's got PLENTY of parking space because it is surrounded by empty fields. People can drive to the behind that pond and park beyond the outfield fence if roped off correctly.
- it's got room down the lines to add about 5 more sections of bleachers on each side.
- it's got plenty of space behind the outfield fence to add potentially 10-15 more sections of small bleachers. Take out the green fence wind screen and fans can see just fine behind that fence.
- if no extra bleacher sections are added, allow people to set up tents and tailgate behind outfield fence, similar to the Troy outfield where this is normal. Regulate it and charge fans just like if they were in the stands. Maybe allow ice chests behind outfield fence area too.
- we could realistically get a potential max capacity of 3,500-4,000 with these additions and have room for all season ticket holders.
These are just my observations. But having played at Fabacher myself in the Acadiana Amateur Baseball League... I know from experience that it really is not a bad park. Does it meet our typical standards for Cajuns baseball? Absolutely not. Does it help us still have home games while we wait for our beautiful new stadium? Yes. Will our fans make it a raucous and rowdy environment and still very tough for opposing teams to play? You bet your asz.
Can we all just focus on the future instead of continuing TK harp on the stadium hold-ups? Let's just find a place, make it our own, and dominate our opponent.
Edit: sorry for any typos, typed this from my phone.
Have you passed by the field recently? Most of those fields you mentioned are now developed subdivisions and there is no parking allowed on the sides of La Neuville Rd.
While I could see bringing in bleachers, exactly how many sets would you have to bring in to add another 1,500 seats for season ticket holders?
I have no problem with the field, but what are you going to do to accommodate 3,000 season ticket holders and what will you charge them? If you can't accommodate all season ticket holders from last season, do you sell partial season tickets at half price and only for the games held at the Tigue this year?
The undertaking to accommodate 3,000 season ticket holders at Fabacher Field is logistically not impossible, but likely improbable and that includes parking.
@CajunT no I haven't driven by there in a few months. But judging by this satellite picture, I find it hard to believe a subdivision could've popped up behind the outfield fence. Anyone have any idea if it's still empty back there?
I know the property can be accessed, if you notice in the above picture, there is a gravel road that extends from the paved parking lot all the way down the side of the field that runs along the pond. This is for people to go and fish that pond as this is a park, and I'm sure this road could be utilized to accommodate parking traffic to the huge field behind the outfield fence. What I don't know however, is who owns that property and if it belongs to the same park or not.
That picture is old. The 1st base line has bleachers down the line. Third base line has a deck on top of a shipping container. There is a a portable building that serves as the locker rooms. The new public library has a parking lot and there is soccer fields behind the ball park.
This is a current picture. It looks like you can pass from La Neuville to the very left edge of the picture where there seems to be a dirt road that goes past the pond into the grass area. I don't know how many more bleachers you can really add though. The lines are pretty full. Just the outfield is open and those would need to be raised up I'd imagine
The area behind the outfield is part of the park. As someone already noted there are active soccer fields back there. It's conceivable to utilize that for parking during good weather but it isn't happening during rain. Temporary bleachers could be put in the outfield.
I also don't think you need to accommodate 4K. Tickets sold and actual attendance are two different things and for a number of years now our attendance has been based on tickets sold. Most other schools do the same. I think you will have fewer people making the trek over to Fabacher for a number of reasons. If you can accommodate 3K I believe it would be okay. I can envision it being general admission for games over there and if they run out of seats its standing room only. We've dealt with SRO at the Tigue before as well.
If this is the route taken be prepared because getting in and out of parking will be a nightmare. Arrive early and leave late.
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