The Back-Up Plan

Greetings everyone!

Sorry for the delay in this post. this last roadtrip really took it's toll on me and I have been so tired these last couple days because of it. As I have said before, driving on baseball roadtrips is nice, but it makes everything so much more tiring for some reason.

Anyways, my brother and I drove up to Seattle this past weekend for a track meet and to see the Yankees-Mariners game at Safeco. Unfortunately, by the time we got up to Seattle, we found out that the game was sold out. I immediately consulted the Baseball America Directory and found that the Tacoma Rainiers were playing the same night, so we went to that game instead.

This is the fourth time that I have seen a game at Cheney Stadium, and every time I go, I have a great time. It is a very nice ballpark that seems to pride itself on no-frills and genuine baseball tradition. There is very little in the name of promotions and on-field nonsense. You really get the sense that the Rainiers organization is focused on providing entertainment in the form of baseball and not gimmicky games or promotions.

While being built in the 1950's Cheney Stadium has held up very well despite it's age. The Rainiers have added some modern touches like an HD Jumbotron, a bleacher section down the right-field line, and two party decks in the extreme left and right-field corners. Other than those additions, the essence of the original ballpark is the same with the un-supported concrete roof, twenty-foot high outfield fence, and the basic concessions setup on the main concourse.

I got into a conversation with a fan at the game who informed me that the Rainiers are embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation to the park beginning at the end of this season. The fan said that they were going to gut the grandstand and redo it to have an open mezzanine level where all the concession stands will be located. When I heard this, I became concerned. Here is a ballpark that really has nothing wrong with it and they are changing it. I got home and immediately did some research on this planned renovation and was soothed a little by what I saw.

The fan was right in saying that the renovation was going to be extensive, but based on the drawings I saw, it looks like they will simply be adding a building that will straddle the existing historical grandstand. This new addition will act as a new facade for the park, contain more modern concessions, and of course luxury boxes. While I'm not too thrilled about this, I am glad that the Tacoma Rainiers organization will be keeping the essence of the park intact and elect for a renovation to add stuff to the park instead of starting from scratch and getting a new one.

I was very pleased with the decision to go to Tacoma rather than Seattle. Minor League Baseball just seems so much more pleasant and fan-friendly. When faced with a decision to go to either a Minor League or Major League park, the odds are great that I will choose Minor League.

On Sunday, I will make my second trip up to Portland in 2010. I'm not sure if I will drive up or take the train, but I am going one way or another. So, until Sunday...

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)