Big Changes in Store for Baltimore's Memorial Stadium
Jan 25, 2015 23:49:33 GMT -5
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Post by RoyalsGM on Jan 25, 2015 23:49:33 GMT -5
With a young nucleus in place and steady improvement in the standings, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to spruce up Memorial Stadium in hopes of attracting more fans. "It has been over a decade since Memorial Stadium has opened and we want to improve the fan experience, address some needs that we identified over time," said Orioles GM David Mitchell. The renovation will be a complete retro-fit and exterior improvement (known as a Level 3 renovation) estimated to cost $100 million. In addition, the Orioles will be making some radical shifts of the outfield wall to better fit up the skill set of the team, with an estimated cost of $10 million. The Orioles have asked for $25 million in public subsidy for the renovation project from the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland. The fence re-alignment will take place this off-season, while the renovation will not be complete until the 1964 opening day.
"I hope our great fans will take note of the young talent on this team and the investment we are making into the stadium," Mitchell said. "We have had steady attendance, but this project continues our theme of taking this ballclub to the next level. We hope to treat our existing fans with a wonderful ballpark atmosphere and attract many new fans as we go after the Yankees and Tigers." The renovated stadium will include wider concourses, more concessions, color TVs to view the game from the concourse, PA improvements, improved seats, and better signage and lighting. "We hope this renovation creates a new, fresh image for the Orioles as our young stars create a winner here in Baltimore," Mitchell dreamed.
Although the renovation will require the lion's share of effort and money, the fence adjustments may be the most intriguing aspect of the improvements. The Orioles are creating a large park that caters to right-handed homerun hitters and singles-hitters. The dimensions were released, from left to right: 300-340-360-440-420-380-300, fence heights of 8-8-8-15-20-20-20. The league estimates that the ballpark batting average ratings are 106 for righties, 104 for lefties while the ballpark homerun ratings are 125 for righties and 96 for lefties. The doubles factor is 93 and the triples factor is 87. "We have some guys with tremendous power who will hit it out of any park, but a number of right-handed hitters with marginal power. We believe that these park dimensions should give these righties a boost," Mitchell explained. "We also have quite a few high-average guys but not a lot of speed, so we would like to cater to singles as well." On the pitching side, Mitchell concedes the Orioles may give up a few more hits, but the staff does an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, so he has confidence that the new fence placement will benefit his team more than the opponent. "With a young team, we also see this as a chance to experiment...if it does not work out, we can always make adjustments in the future. As for now, we believe this gives us our best chance to win."
From a financial perspective, the Orioles have been planning for this upgrade for some time. "Since many of our players are on rookie contracts, we have been able to save up some money," Mitchell explained. "We are asking for some taxpayer assistance because we do see economic development benefits for the region here, but we will be paying for most of this with our reserves. In fact, we will not issue any debt on this project--we will pay the bill in full." With the $100 million renovation cost plus $10 million for the fence adjustment, the total cost of the project is $110 million. After the planned public subsidy of $25 million is included, the total cost for the Orioles is $85 million--under their current reserve of $95 million.
"The Orioles have a bright future on the field and we hope to maximize our home field advantage with the park dimensions and with great fans in the seats enjoying their experience."
"I hope our great fans will take note of the young talent on this team and the investment we are making into the stadium," Mitchell said. "We have had steady attendance, but this project continues our theme of taking this ballclub to the next level. We hope to treat our existing fans with a wonderful ballpark atmosphere and attract many new fans as we go after the Yankees and Tigers." The renovated stadium will include wider concourses, more concessions, color TVs to view the game from the concourse, PA improvements, improved seats, and better signage and lighting. "We hope this renovation creates a new, fresh image for the Orioles as our young stars create a winner here in Baltimore," Mitchell dreamed.
Although the renovation will require the lion's share of effort and money, the fence adjustments may be the most intriguing aspect of the improvements. The Orioles are creating a large park that caters to right-handed homerun hitters and singles-hitters. The dimensions were released, from left to right: 300-340-360-440-420-380-300, fence heights of 8-8-8-15-20-20-20. The league estimates that the ballpark batting average ratings are 106 for righties, 104 for lefties while the ballpark homerun ratings are 125 for righties and 96 for lefties. The doubles factor is 93 and the triples factor is 87. "We have some guys with tremendous power who will hit it out of any park, but a number of right-handed hitters with marginal power. We believe that these park dimensions should give these righties a boost," Mitchell explained. "We also have quite a few high-average guys but not a lot of speed, so we would like to cater to singles as well." On the pitching side, Mitchell concedes the Orioles may give up a few more hits, but the staff does an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, so he has confidence that the new fence placement will benefit his team more than the opponent. "With a young team, we also see this as a chance to experiment...if it does not work out, we can always make adjustments in the future. As for now, we believe this gives us our best chance to win."
From a financial perspective, the Orioles have been planning for this upgrade for some time. "Since many of our players are on rookie contracts, we have been able to save up some money," Mitchell explained. "We are asking for some taxpayer assistance because we do see economic development benefits for the region here, but we will be paying for most of this with our reserves. In fact, we will not issue any debt on this project--we will pay the bill in full." With the $100 million renovation cost plus $10 million for the fence adjustment, the total cost of the project is $110 million. After the planned public subsidy of $25 million is included, the total cost for the Orioles is $85 million--under their current reserve of $95 million.
"The Orioles have a bright future on the field and we hope to maximize our home field advantage with the park dimensions and with great fans in the seats enjoying their experience."
