From: twap8@isuvax.iastate.edu (Mike McNarney)
Subject: Iowa Cubs
Reply-To: twap8@isuvax.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 07:47:01 GMT

Holy cow, I just got back from the Opening Night at the New Sec Taylor
Stadium, home of the Iowa Cubs. Oh God, what a stadium. I will skip the
bulk of the details (not enough bandwidth), but lemme relay a few
more prominent observations:

The dimensions are the same, although I don't remember what they are.
The field itself, the outfield fence, and the clubhouse/Cub Club is
all that remains of the old park- everything else is brand new. For
MLE affecianados, the field is in the same position at the confluence
of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, but the grandstand is much larger
and taller than before and might have an effect on air current. 

There are 20 or so mega-expensive skyboxes, costing tens of thousands of
dollars for a season, and $200 to rent FOR ONE game. Nice, if you're a
high roller. There is even an elevator to it. 

ALL the reserved seats are theatre-type seats, not just the box seats like
before. The total capacity is about 11,000. The seats in LF and RF are
angled in so you can see the infield, while before you looked out at the
outfield. There are no obstructed view seats, as there are no supporting
girders for the roof. Neat.

The roof is angled such that a foul ball on the roof MIGHT roll back
into the stands, depending how far back on the roof it is hit. It's
already become quite the game- a foul it hit on the roof behind you, so
you get ready to catch it when it comes back down. The people on the
opposite side of the stadium can see where the ball is and will yell
and scream (or boo) depending on if the ball comes down. The first
time, it was confusing as no one realized the roof was angled- we heard
all the people in RF yelling, and everyone in LF turns to look at them,
assuming something is happening over there. We all turn just in time to
have the ball come back down and crack someone on the head. Nothing 
serious. Additionally, the overhead net is not up yet, so those
popups that usually roll off the net back onto the field are fair
game, until they get the net up.

Architecturally, the place is a masterpiece. Designed by HOK Architects
of Kansas City (designers of Camden Yards, the Rockies' field, among
others), it reflects the unique features of the Des Moines skyline,
blending it in with the old warehouse district just south of downtown
that the stadium is in. I'm not much for architecture-critiquing, but
"I know a good ballpark when I see it," and this is definitely it. Unique,
yet traditional. If I learn how, I will post a .gif of it (and I will
take the picture myself, avoiding any copyright tangles). 

As a footnote, the I-Cubs won 4-2, with Jeff Harstock winning, Paul
Kilgus losing for Louisville, and converted SS Jim Bullinger getting
the save. GAME NOTES: Derrick May is hitting .367, with 2 hr. The
first HR in the new stadiumn was hit by Ozzie Canseco, erstwile brother
of Jose Canseco (I think they're twins- they sure as hell look like it).
I swear, I don't I've ever seen a visiting player get razzed more in one
game than Ozzie. The fans were on him so bad by the end of the game
, chanting "Oz-zie, Oz-zie" relentlessly, that he stepped out in his
last AB and shot a glare up our way- all the really loud drunks were in
our section. I do feel bad, razzing him simply b/c he's Jose's brother.
It's not like he sucks or anything. Record crowd of 10,200 (approx).

ALSO, I was told that Ced Landrum will be out until at least MAY. 

Again, an incredible experience. Anyone who was ever at the old Sec Taylor
will know what I am talking about.

God bless the Iowa Cubs and HOK architects.

---------------------
Mike McNarney
twap8@isuvax.bitnet
Iowa State University, USENET censors
Ames, Iowa 50013-0007
515/296-8797

		*Long live Sec Taylor Stadium.*
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball