Gaslamp Ball - Changes to the ballpark in the upcoming seasonSan Diego Padres baseball in the form of a bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50553/glb-fav.png2014-03-25T16:32:20-07:00http://www.gaslampball.com/rss/stream/53136892014-03-25T16:32:20-07:002014-03-25T16:32:20-07:00More changes to be seen at Petco Park this season
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<figcaption>Donald Miralle</figcaption>
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<p>I wrote a <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2014/3/18/5523062/photos-of-some-of-the-changes-around-petco-park">blog post last week about some of the changes at Petco Park</a>, but there's quite a few I missed.</p>
<p>Padres <a href="http://plfmx-xxsports.s3.amazonaws.com/common/global_audio/120203.mp3">President Mike Dee talked to Darren Smith</a> late last week about the first phase of a 3-5 year project to update and modernize Petco Park. Here's more of the changes:</p>
<ul>
<li>The top floor of the Western Metal Supply will have new state of the art seating called "The Rail" which will be San Diego's answer to Boston's Green Monster seats. The seats will be adjoined to a brand new 12 person suite called the "Foul Pole Suite" with "the best view in left field". <br>
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<li>The standing room that was on the top level will now be moved to the roof. It will accommodate more fans and arguably have the best food and beverage in the ballpark with Rimel's Rooftop Grill.<br><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The new <a href="https://twitter.com/rimelsfreshfood">@rimelsfreshfood</a> roof deck is coming together. <a href="http://t.co/LBtcKkgcJu">pic.twitter.com/LBtcKkgcJu</a></p>
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresMikeDee/statuses/445997765072801792">March 18, 2014</a>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>This is shaping up nicely <a href="http://t.co/UIBydkyvYu">pic.twitter.com/UIBydkyvYu</a></p>
— Kevin Thompson (@ParkAtThePark) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkAtThePark/statuses/448199667801550848">March 24, 2014</a>
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<li>The Rally Bell will also be relocated from the 1st base tower to the Kona Cove next to the Western Metal Supply building. This used to be the area called Jerome's Best Seat in the House.<br>
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<li>Dee says the new sound system is in and working well.</li>
<li>There's also new signage on the outside of the ballpark
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>More new signage being installed around Petco Park today. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Padres&src=hash">#Padres</a> Opening Night is right around the corner! <a href="http://t.co/ADBJWKfNMB">pic.twitter.com/ADBJWKfNMB</a></p>
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresMikeDee/statuses/446375105937948673">March 19, 2014</a>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Checking the updates to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PetcoPark&src=hash">#PetcoPark</a>. Here are the new banners on the back of the scoreboard. <a href="http://t.co/I7P4SzGil9">pic.twitter.com/I7P4SzGil9</a></p>
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresMikeDee/statuses/448262285660672000">March 25, 2014</a>
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<li>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>New wall design in the ticket lobby. <a href="http://t.co/EkfmZRKhf9">pic.twitter.com/EkfmZRKhf9</a></p>
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresMikeDee/statuses/446433575710515200">March 19, 2014</a>
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<li>Meanwhile Marketing VP Wayne Partello showed off the new Seaside Market yesterday.<br><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Just did a tour of the ballpark. Here is the new <a href="https://twitter.com/seasidemarket">@seasidemarket</a> @ <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PetcoPark&src=hash">#PetcoPark</a> Wow the new areas look great!! <a href="http://t.co/nD5eMty4k1">pic.twitter.com/nD5eMty4k1</a></p>
— Wayne Partello (@WaynePartello) <a href="https://twitter.com/WaynePartello/statuses/448197961768374272">March 24, 2014</a>
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<li>@ParkAtThePark is always good for a few shots of the ballpark from his birds-eye view in his office building. Here he shows the new vendor area in the park.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Vendor spot, I like this better than the sort of random arrangement on k street <a href="http://t.co/0zCSqUuveH">pic.twitter.com/0zCSqUuveH</a></p>
— Kevin Thompson (@ParkAtThePark) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkAtThePark/statuses/448497126813618177">March 25, 2014</a>
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<li>And here is the Hodad's new satellite vendor station in the park, which will be real nice.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Hodads all set up <a href="http://t.co/ChL83c2YdW">pic.twitter.com/ChL83c2YdW</a></p>
— Kevin Thompson (@ParkAtThePark) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkAtThePark/statuses/448497458775986177">March 25, 2014</a>
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<li>Also you've no doubt heard that Bumble Bee Tuna will be leasing the Showley Bros. Candy Factory building. Well they've also got a vendor station near the batter's eye.<br><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>I hope this doesn't mean the return of "tuna dogs" <a href="http://t.co/UcTgMkMzqk">pic.twitter.com/UcTgMkMzqk</a></p>
— Kevin Thompson (@ParkAtThePark) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkAtThePark/statuses/448528878609235968">March 25, 2014</a>
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https://www.gaslampball.com/2014/3/25/5547730/more-changes-to-be-seen-at-petco-park-this-seasonjbox2014-03-18T13:20:28-07:002014-03-18T13:20:28-07:00Photos of the changes around Petco Park
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<p>Your buddy Jonny Dub was down at Petco Park this afternoon letting his kids get some fresh air and run around the playground. He texted me photos of <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2014/2/6/5386366/mike-dee-talks-about-changes-to-the-ballpark-in-the-upcoming-season">some of the changes that Mike Dee teased</a> that are now currently under construction.</p>
<p>First he wanted me to share with you pictures of the new Jumbotron on the back of the batter's eye. Here's the old one for reference:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3977335/IMG_2996.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Img_2996_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3977335/IMG_2996_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>And here's the new one, <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2014/2/8/5393910/padres-chairman-fowler-set-aside-10m-a-year-for-5-years-for-ballpark">it's said to be 50% bigger</a>, though it doesn't really look it in the photo.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4155731/iphone_030.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Iphone_030_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/4155731/iphone_030_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>Next up was a peninsula of paved bricks coming off of the K Street concourse. Jon was convinced that since the bricks are blue and orange that President Mike Dee plans to change the Padres uniforms to the same colors <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2013/9/25/4769928/meeting-padres-president-ceo-mike-dee">as we previously speculated</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/4155819/iphone_029.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Iphone_029_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/4155819/iphone_029_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>But he later recanted saying that the brick's color scheme matches the bricks that are already in place in the Palm Court Plaza area. It's probably a red herring.</p>
<p>Here's both of the changes together in one picture:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4155843/iphone_031.JPG" target="_blank"><img alt="Iphone_031_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/4155843/iphone_031_medium.JPG"></a></p>
<p>Meanwhile at roughly the same time President Mike Dee and VP Wayne Partello tweeted pictures of changes happening on top of the old Western Metal Supply building. The new shack will be home to<i> Rimel's Rotisserie</i>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The new <a href="https://twitter.com/rimelsfreshfood">@rimelsfreshfood</a> roof deck is coming together. <a href="http://t.co/LBtcKkgcJu">pic.twitter.com/LBtcKkgcJu</a></p>
— Mike Dee (@PadresMikeDee) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresMikeDee/statuses/445997765072801792">March 18, 2014</a>
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<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Construction under way getting ready for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OpeningWeek&src=hash">#OpeningWeek</a> <a href="http://t.co/1KOcNfGdyp">pic.twitter.com/1KOcNfGdyp</a></p>
— Wayne Partello (@WaynePartello) <a href="https://twitter.com/WaynePartello/statuses/445997063202148353">March 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Also Brad tweeted a picture earlier in the week of a new<i> Lucha Libre Taco Shop</i> sign being installed at Petco Park. He surmised in a later tweet that it'll be located on the field level.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Looks like Lucha Libre will be at Petco Park this season! Can't wait to get some of that! <a href="https://twitter.com/Padres">@Padres</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Padres&src=hash">#Padres</a> <a href="http://t.co/8nKt5i5BSJ">pic.twitter.com/8nKt5i5BSJ</a></p>
— Brad (@bradsdp7) <a href="https://twitter.com/bradsdp7/statuses/444167516697284608">March 13, 2014</a>
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https://www.gaslampball.com/2014/3/18/5523062/photos-of-some-of-the-changes-around-petco-parkjbox2014-02-08T16:41:31-08:002014-02-08T16:41:31-08:00$50 million set aside for ballpark improvements
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<p>We heard earlier this week during a <a href="http://www.xtrasports1360.com/media/podcast-chris-and-ben-the-world-of-worldofsports/2614-world-of-sportshour-3-24297929/">1360 AM interview with President Mike Dee</a> that the <a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/2014/2/6/5386366/mike-dee-talks-about-changes-to-the-ballpark-in-the-upcoming-season">Padres were making improvements to Petco Park</a>. Today at Padres FanFest, Executitive Chairman Ron Fowler said he committed $10M a year for 5 years for maintenance and improvement projects for the ballpark. Fowler said that Dee had plenty of ideas on how to spend the money.</p>
<p>One project that was both easy to miss and hard to ignore was the resurfacing of the floors along the park's concourses. Most fans don't take notice of the surface their walking on, but the ever present fumes were a constant reminder today. The new resin surface won't collect or show dirt as much as the previous surface did and will provide better traction for guests during inclement weather and soda spills.</p>
<p>There's also a plan to replace the sound system at Petco Park. Today the sound kept cutting out during the scheduled Q&A sessions. I overheard Fowler tell another guest while a session was delayed, that this is why the Padres needed a new system.</p>
<p>Another improvement that Dee mentioned during his radio interview was a 50% bigger video board in the Park at the Park. He made it sound like the screen had already been replaced but upon close inspection we determined that it was still the same old sh_tty one. In the Q&A, Dee said it will be installed before Opening Day.</p>
https://www.gaslampball.com/2014/2/8/5393910/padres-chairman-fowler-set-aside-10m-a-year-for-5-years-for-ballparkjbox2014-02-06T09:15:27-08:002014-02-06T09:15:27-08:00Mike Dee talks about changes to the ballpark
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZPXeZ9D0yU1X3F-G02dyKIqdiyE=/0x76:4000x2743/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28182965/20130824_kkt_ah2_228.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA</figcaption>
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<p>I was just listening to <a href="http://www.xtrasports1360.com/media/podcast-chris-and-ben-the-world-of-worldofsports/2614-world-of-sportshour-3-24297929/">Chris and Ben's interview with Padres President Mike Dee</a> on 1360 AM. I learned a few things:</p>
<ul>
<li> The Padres are installing a new sound system. Dee says that there have been complaints about the current sound system and the answer has always been to turn up the volume. "The way to make up for a bad sound system is to crank up the volume." With a new system in place people will be able to hear and understand the new PA announcer without being blasted by so many decibels. I'm happy to hear it, baseball over the last 15 years has taken the approach that louder is better, it's not.<br>
</li>
<li>
<div class="pullquote">"The ballpark unfortunately was not the recipient of a lot of tender love and care in the past 5 years" <span>-Mike Dee</span>
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Dee also says the Padres are taking great care in maintaining Petco Park, something he notes that the previous ownership did not do. They put in new flooring across the concourses. They've also been cleaning up rust and painting for the last several months. I can attest to this, when I went down to the ballpark on the day that Jerry Coleman died I was practically asphyxiated by all the paint fumes.</li>
<li>Dee says they've also installed a new video board in the Park at the Park. It's 50% larger than the previous one. I had no idea, but this is great news for those of us that sit on the lawn.<br>
</li>
<li>Speaking of video boards, they're hoping to install a new ballpark video board in 2015. The ballpark desperately needs this. The current board is older than the ballpark itself.</li>
<li>The Padres plan on going back to the old San Diego standards in terms of fan giveaways. They'll all be announced later today. They'll have long sleeve t-shirt jerseys, floppy hats, sports bags, beach towels and even brown and gold jerseys for the series against the cubs. <br>
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<li>When the team wears their 1984 throwback uniforms on Thursday, Friday and Saturday against the cubs they'll be wearing both brown and white jerseys.</li>
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https://www.gaslampball.com/2014/2/6/5386366/mike-dee-talks-about-changes-to-the-ballpark-in-the-upcoming-seasonjbox