Seems like a lot of money to renovate a ballpark that isn't very old.   Just out of curiosity, any idea what a new ballpark with a retractable roof would cost?

 

Edited November 23, 20213 yr by LibertyBlvd

^ I’m not necessarily going to disagree with your initial point, but it’s now one of the ten oldest stadiums in MLB. 

9 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Seems like a lot of money to renovate a ballpark that isn't very old.   Just out of curiosity, any idea what a new ballpark with a retractable roof would cost?

 

I guess it would depend if you want to build it in a farm field in Medina or within the city of Cleveland (the cost of course being higher in Cleveland),  Atlantas new non dome stadium which is now a couple of years old and is in Cobb County cost about  $625 million.  Given inflation and rising material costs since then I would guess a dome would be something like $800 million in the hinters lands (probably more) and approaching 900 million in the city.

55 minutes ago, roman totale XVII said:

^ I’m not necessarily going to disagree with your initial point, but it’s now one of the ten oldest stadiums in MLB. 

 Sports facilities do not seem to have a very long shelf life nowadays.  Cleveland Browns Stadium/First Energy Stadium which opened in 1999 is one of the older ones in the NFL.

 

Edited November 23, 20213 yr by LibertyBlvd

Texas Rangers new ballpark was something like 20 years (if that) and they built a new one right next door.

29 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Texas Rangers new ballpark was something like 20 years (if that) and they built a new one right next door.

 

I think the old stadium would have lasted longer if it had a roof on it. Playing/watching baseball games throughout the summer in the Dallas heat is not something anyone wants to endure. Domed stadiums are expected at this point in that area of the country. Look at the rest of the stadiums in the southeast. The Astros and Texans play in domes in Houston. The Cowboys play in a dome in Dallas. The Cardinals and Diamondbacks play in domes in Arizona. The Raiders play in a dome in Vegas. 

2 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

I think the old stadium would have lasted longer if it had a roof on it. Playing/watching baseball games throughout the summer in the Dallas heat is not something anyone wants to endure. Domed stadiums are expected at this point in that area of the country. Look at the rest of the stadiums in the southeast. The Astros and Texans play in domes in Houston. The Cowboys play in a dome in Dallas. The Cardinals and Diamondbacks play in domes in Arizona. The Raiders play in a dome in Vegas. 

The Georgia Dome wasn’t much older. (Built in 1992, demolished in 2017, replaced by a new dome right next door.) 

 

And it’s extremely frustrating that the people who decided to build the previous Rangers stadium as outdoor only will never be held accountable for that terrible decision.
 

Building stadiums is such a terrible waste of government money; but making poor decisions about those stadiums just adds insult to injury. 

4 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Building stadiums is such a terrible waste of government money; but making poor decisions about those stadiums just adds insult to injury. 

Perhaps some of the poor decisions were made to keep the cost down.  

Cleveland City Council passed Progressive Field renovation/lease agreement 13-3.  Cuyahoga Council previously passed same.  Major renovations are 2-3 years away but they will probably start some of the small stuff as early as next year.

On 9/27/2021 at 9:11 PM, freethink said:

Scoreboard sign will be up for review this week. Looking pretty much the same with the new Guardians name. Kind of underwhelming. 

Btw I have always hated the size and placement of the scoreboard. I wish with the new renovations it could be downsized and placed more toward Center field. Positioned behind the bullpen at about the same level but smaller.  That way we could open up views to the city and all the new development in the coming years.

 

 

It was built this way on purpose.  Buildings/businesses would be viewed live and in person and on TV without having to pay for advertising with the Indians, or MLB.  Example, look at the ATT sign.  It's only on one side of the building.  The side the faces the ballpark.  Free advertising.

 

Some of you may be too young to remember this, but the field, with home plate was originally discussed to be at the corner of East 9.  IIRC, the garage was not there, which would have led to further expansion of the outfield bleachers or redevelopment as needed.  IIRC, a hotel was proposed.  I'm fuzzy on that.  Also, the stadium was built so no roof top or skyscraper could have a 100% unobstructed view onto the field.

 

The Jake and the Baltimore stadiums were the first of a new type of stadiums in the heart of the city.  Similar to Wrigley and Fenway but completely different.  The neighborhoods grew up around those stadiums.

On 11/23/2021 at 10:52 AM, LibertyBlvd said:

 Sports facilities do not seem to have a very long shelf life nowadays.  Cleveland Browns Stadium/First Energy Stadium which opened in 1999 is one of the older ones in the NFL.

 

 

Not true, considering - the currently - used stadiums below are older: 

the Coliseum (LA)

Soldier Field (CHI)

Lambeau Field (GB)

Ralph Wilson (Buffalo)

Arrow Head (KC)

Jacksonville 

the Superdome (NoLa)

Bank of America (CLT)

Dolphins/Joe Robbie (MIA)

Cooke Stadium/FedEx (DC)

Raymond Jones (Tampa)

Nashville/Nissan 

 

Then a ton of stadiums open in succession right after 9/11.

 

Are they still using the Coliseum in LA? I thought they just opened a new one.

35 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Are they still using the Coliseum in LA? I thought they just opened a new one.

It is USC's home field and will be main stadium for the 2028 Olympics

8 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Are they still using the Coliseum in LA? I thought they just opened a new one.

Not for the NFL.   Both the Chargers and Rams are playing in the brand new Sofi Stadium. 

On 11/29/2021 at 8:50 PM, Htsguy said:

Cleveland City Council passed Progressive Field renovation/lease agreement 13-3.  Cuyahoga Council previously passed same.  Major renovations are 2-3 years away but they will probably start some of the small stuff as early as next year.

 

What will be interesting to see is if a TIF district is created around Progressive Field (and RMFH) and what area this might include.

A new survey is going around about Progressive Renovations, the main focus seems to be on the Terrace Club. 




There's also a link to a video about redoing the section behind home plate, the "dugout club".

 

Edited November 14, 20222 yr by tj111

I received a survey a couple weeks ago pertaining to seat replacement in various sections, so apparently that is something else they are planning.  I hope they do something with right field upper deck  That is an eyesore.

^ Good to know. I got the Terrace Club one, but not that one. 

Terrace Club outdoor terraces look cool.  I understand the Dugout Club is a way to make the most expensive seats more desirable, but watching the game on a TV when you have seats behind home plate makes no sense to me.  If they had some kind of premium / restaurant-quality food option there then maybe that can move the needle.  

I hope they address the cost of a ticket to a game. If the cost starts out at $60 per ticket, it gets expensive quick, especially considering parking and concessions.

 

I could see a family of four going once or twice a season, but with something like 80 home games it is difficult to fill the place up at those prices I think.

1 hour ago, LibertyBlvd said:

I received a survey a couple weeks ago pertaining to seat replacement in various sections, so apparently that is something else they are planning.  I hope they do something with right field upper deck  That is an eyesore.

The upper right field area is part of the planned renovation. The 'shipping containers' are universally hated, even with staff there 😄

4 minutes ago, mrclifton88 said:

The upper right field area is part of the planned renovation. The 'shipping containers' are universally hated, even with staff there 😄

I am really interested to see what they have planned for this area.  I have always hated it from afar.  However, this summer I was up there for the first time in my life for the Elton John concert.  It is even worse up close.

31 minutes ago, Mov2Ohio said:

I hope they address the cost of a ticket to a game. If the cost starts out at $60 per ticket, it gets expensive quick, especially considering parking and concessions.

 

I could see a family of four going once or twice a season, but with something like 80 home games it is difficult to fill the place up at those prices I think.

I am old enough to remember $4.50 box seats, $3.50 reserve seats, $2.50 general admission and the bleachers for a buck.  Of course, at the time, I was making $1.65 an hour at my after school job.

Edited November 14, 20222 yr by Htsguy

10 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

I am old enough to remember $4.50 box seats, $3.50 reserve seats, $2.50 general admission and the bleachers for a buck.  Of course, at the time, I was making $1.65 an hour at my after school job.

I and think parking was 50 cents in the muni lot.

Just now, LibertyBlvd said:

I and think parking was 50 cents in the muni lot.

 

And the Rapid was 35 cents.

 

OK, shh-shh, X is coming to put this graybeard reunion down.

1 hour ago, Mov2Ohio said:

I hope they address the cost of a ticket to a game. If the cost starts out at $60 per ticket, it gets expensive quick, especially considering parking and concessions.

 

I could see a family of four going once or twice a season, but with something like 80 home games it is difficult to fill the place up at those prices I think.

I agree and I wonder how much MLB allows for discounting.  It's crazy the amount they want for an upper deck seat in May to a game no one cares about.  TBH I'm surprised they don't offer more deals just to get people in the park and buying hotdogs and beer. 

I really wish they would try to stick with some of the original materials and approaches when building out these new sections.  the stadium is starting to look like Frankenstein's monster. theres different color brick throughout, the metal containers in right. the home plate bar looks like a retrofit and these terraces are going to have wood-looking slats

Edited November 14, 20222 yr by Whipjacka

I also wish they would cut back on all the advertisements throughout the ballpark - behind the plate, on the outfield wall and behind the pitcher's mound.

17 minutes ago, Cleburger said:

I agree and I wonder how much MLB allows for discounting.  It's crazy the amount they want for an upper deck seat in May to a game no one cares about.  TBH I'm surprised they don't offer more deals just to get people in the park and buying hotdogs and beer. 

Some promotions other than dollar dogs, bobbleheads and fireworks would be nice. Years ago, they used to have Ladies Day several times per year.  But I suppose that would be deemed politically incorrect now.  The Plain Dealer had Grandstand Managers Day and the Press rewarded students who received straight A’s.

 

MLB really needs to shorten the regular season.  About 140 games would be my suggestion.  Of course we know that will never happen.

1 hour ago, Htsguy said:

I am old enough to remember $4.50 box seats, $3.50 reserve seats, $2.50 general admission and the bleachers for a buck.  Of course, at the time, I was making $1.65 an hour at my after school job.

 

I was selling beer about that time and could get in free via the ushers I knew.   The best part of all that is after the seventh inning they didn't care where you sat.

6 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Some promotions other than dollar dogs, bobbleheads and fireworks would be nice. Years ago, they used to have Ladies Day several times per year.  But I suppose that would be deemed politically incorrect now.  The Plain Dealer had Grandstand Managers Day and the Press rewarded students who received straight A’s.

 

 

I think we all know what "Ladies Day" would lead to.  I don't think they've done those sorts of things in the new stadium, because the first few years they didn't have to.

 

"Bat Day" would be more infamous were it not for Ten Cent Beer Night....

Edited November 14, 20222 yr by E Rocc

43 minutes ago, Cleburger said:

I agree and I wonder how much MLB allows for discounting.  It's crazy the amount they want for an upper deck seat in May to a game no one cares about.  TBH I'm surprised they don't offer more deals just to get people in the park and buying hotdogs and beer. 

I believe they were $35/ea before taxes and fees for nosebleed’s. Those should be $10 April thru June. No idea why they don’t even try. 

Do the Guardians still have a box office at Progressive Field where tickets can be purchased or is it all online now?  Doing it online is a bit of a hassle in that you need to create an account, provide credit card info, etc. and then get hit with service fees.

 

Edited November 14, 20222 yr by LibertyBlvd

7 hours ago, LibertyBlvd said:

Do the Guardians still have a box office at Progressive Field where tickets can be purchased or is it all online now?  Doing it online is a bit of a hassle in that you need to create an account, provide credit card info, etc. and then get hit with service fees.

 

There was a box office just west of the bleachers, outside of the stadium last year.

12 hours ago, stpats44113 said:

There was a box office just west of the bleachers, outside of the stadium last year.

There is a box office.

 

However, it is my understanding (I could be wrong) that you still have to have an account with MLB as your tickets are “sent” to the Ballpark app even if you buy at the box office.

 

====
 

I went to about a dozen games this year, the experience was very good, the team is a fun watch and they are extremely competitive.  
 

Highly recommend going to “Jacobs Field”.

 

Pro Tip: buy the standing room only The Corner Bar ticket for $15 (with a $5 food/beverage credit) and then grab any of the thousands of empty seats available (except for the truly premium seats, the ushers don’t care and I’ve seen some ushers even encourage people to sit down).

Edited November 15, 20222 yr by ragarcia

As an old dude I love baseball but I have to admit around here baseball in an open air ballpark in the spring can be brutal. All this talk about what can be done to tweak the experience is missing the real point which is we need a retractable dome for the team. I know...it's not going to happen. It's too expensive. If any sport gets a dome it will probably be the Browns although they don't need one. Baseball does. 

 

Just imagine a game where the weather is nice - open the dome. Cold and rainy - close it. Fans would be comfortable. The game would be a sure thing so attendance would be more predictable. Add in a Ballpark Village with bars, restaurants, little shops, residential and maybe a boutique hotel all in a confined space. If the baseball experience was more comfortable and fans knew the game wasn't going to be rained out I think that consistency would create a much bigger draw. 

 

Unfortunately there is only so much money to spend around here and with other big projects (lakefront, new Justice Center, new football stadium etc.) vying for limited public dollars I don't see this happening but if it did it sure would be a fantastic upgrade from what we are dealing with now. 

3 hours ago, ragarcia said:

There is a box office.

 

However, it is my understanding (I could be wrong) that you still have to have an account with MLB as your tickets are “sent” to the Ballpark app even if you buy at the box office.

 

====
 

I went to about a dozen games this year, the experience was very good, the team is a fun watch and they are extremely competitive.  
 

Highly recommend going to “Jacobs Field”.

 

Pro Tip: buy the standing room only The Corner Bar ticket for $15 (with a $5 food/beverage credit) and then grab any of the thousands of empty seats available (except for the truly premium seats, the ushers don’t care and I’ve seen some ushers even encourage people to sit down).

 

boy what comes around goes around — that pro tip is same as it was for old muni lol. not only could you sit anywhere, but once in awhile i used to do stuff like go down and sit with the guy with the pitch radar gun and he would let me do it, which i thought was thee coolest thing as a kid.

1 hour ago, cadmen said:

As an old dude I love baseball but I have to admit around here baseball in an open air ballpark in the spring can be brutal. All this talk about what can be done to tweak the experience is missing the real point which is we need a retractable dome for the team. I know...it's not going to happen. It's too expensive. If any sport gets a dome it will probably be the Browns although they don't need one. Baseball does. 

 

Just imagine a game where the weather is nice - open the dome. Cold and rainy - close it. Fans would be comfortable. The game would be a sure thing so attendance would be more predictable. Add in a Ballpark Village with bars, restaurants, little shops, residential and maybe a boutique hotel all in a confined space. If the baseball experience was more comfortable and fans knew the game wasn't going to be rained out I think that consistency would create a much bigger draw. 

 

Unfortunately there is only so much money to spend around here and with other big projects (lakefront, new Justice Center, new football stadium etc.) vying for limited public dollars I don't see this happening but if it did it sure would be a fantastic upgrade from what we are dealing with now. 

Totally get what you mean.
 

Luckily, anyone can go to The Terrace Club and watch game from there.

 

It won’t do nothing for predictability of the game actually being played, but at least you can be protected from the elements.

Welp, so much for getting work underway this off-season....

 

 

 

Progressive Field Final Plans Announced

By Ken Prendergast / January 12, 2023

 

The Cleveland Guardians today announced renovation projects that are scheduled to be completed over the next three years as a result of the Cleveland Guardians new lease extension at Progressive Field announced last year. Progressive Field Reimagined will improve and extend the life of Progressive Field, which is the 11th-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, and will include renovations to the Upper Deck, Terrace Club, Dugout Club, home and visiting Clubhouses & Service Level, and the Guardians Administrative Offices.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2023/01/12/progressive-field-final-plans-announced/

I wonder if this changes the capacity at all?  I would think if anything, it would increase with these changes.  

"“As we surveyed our fans, we continuously heard feedback that aligned with the success we saw with the Corner Bar – a focus on more social spaces and compelling fan experiences in the ballpark offering unique ways to enjoy a game."

 

I'm pretty sure most fans just want to watch the game in relative peace, especially when with families. Compelling fan experiences? Get the f out of here.

 

Now for a Ballpark Village like in St. Louis, much more applicable.

I'm glad they are making more group spaces. Love the standing room tickets for the corner bar. I don't need to worry about assigned seating I can just find a spot where I can stand around and hang out with my friends in a group while watching the game. I'd much rather that then be stuck in a row of seats where I can only really talk to the two people sitting next to me. 

8 minutes ago, TBideon said:

"“As we surveyed our fans, we continuously heard feedback that aligned with the success we saw with the Corner Bar – a focus on more social spaces and compelling fan experiences in the ballpark offering unique ways to enjoy a game."

 

I'm pretty sure most fans just want to watch the game in relative peace, especially when with families. Compelling fan experiences? Get the f out of here.

 

Now for a Ballpark Village like in St. Louis, much more applicable.

 

I suspect that different fans want to watch the game in different ways, which is why these sorts of spaces work.  They aren't getting rid of all the seating for people who just want to sit and watch the game with their family.

7 minutes ago, TBideon said:

"“As we surveyed our fans, we continuously heard feedback that aligned with the success we saw with the Corner Bar – a focus on more social spaces and compelling fan experiences in the ballpark offering unique ways to enjoy a game."

 

I'm pretty sure most fans just want to watch the game in relative peace, especially when with families. Compelling fan experiences? Get the f out of here.

 

Now for a Ballpark Village like in St. Louis, much more applicable.

I like just watching games, but I also enjoy heading to the corner bar and standing at the drink rails watching the game. You cannot deny the success it has had. Coor’s Field has a similar beer garden like they are proposing to build in left and right field. There are fans constantly in that section for games.

I was one of those surveyed, a few times. It’s likely all STHs and plenty of people out of their CRM system were too, so I’m not claiming any special influence!

That said, I love the changes. Getting rid of the shipping containers is a huge win and the new spaces in the upper decks help round out the stadium and also take the pressure off the existing non-Bud/Miller bar areas. Even with a sub 20k crowd, it’s often been a PITA to get a decent beer these last few seasons.

We knew it was coming, but thank god the shipping containers are going. Good riddance. Not only were they ugly and unpopular, but they didn't look like they fit the stadium.  Like an ugly patch on a pair of jeans.  Always the most embarrassing when they'd show it on tv.

 

The focus on improving the experience in the upper deck areas should be good for getting people to games. Right now, tickets are expensive so people want to sit in the upper deck where it's cheaper, but the upper deck doesn't have the food options or fun vibe that the lower bowl has.  Bars, community spaces, and better sightlines from the concourse should really improve the upper deck experience and will hopefully get more fans into the stadium.

 

Lastly, we as fans won't benefit from this, but upgrading the clubhouse and kitchen/training areas for the players will be huge for the team.

45 minutes ago, RE Developer In Training said:

I wonder if this changes the capacity at all?  I would think if anything, it would increase with these changes.  

No. It’s gonna lop a decent amount off capacity. The 500-level is effectively being removed at the wings. 
EDIT. Just saw on Twitter the Guardians say it won’t affect capacity. I guess for every seat lost, they’re replacing it with an SRO spot. 

3 minutes ago, roman totale XVII said:

No. It’s gonna lop a decent amount off capacity. The 500-level is effectively being removed at the wings. 

 

Which will help make the stadium look more full so I get it. Nothing worse in my opinion than looking at full sections of empty seats when I would go to random weekday games. I get you can't sell out every game but coming from a city that routinely did, it feels a little sad seeing empty seats. So I'm glad we're going to be using the space way better now. 

8 minutes ago, roman totale XVII said:

I was one of those surveyed, a few times. It’s likely all STHs and plenty of people out of their CRM system were too, so I’m not claiming any special influence!

That said, I love the changes. Getting rid of the shipping containers is a huge win and the new spaces in the upper decks help round out the stadium and also take the pressure off the existing non-Bud/Miller bar areas. Even with a sub 20k crowd, it’s been a PITA to get a decent beer these last few seasons.

Upper decks will be MUCH better experiences with these changes. The areas they're targeting have been ripe for a social conversion. Multiple "social spaces" will be a lot better for attendance throughout the year without a doubt. Also, I miss Bud at these games so much.