Posted by thylacine on August 31, 11 at 00:48:13:
In Reply to: Re: Yes It's a Huge Mistake! posted by Baseball Devil on August 30, 11 at 18:05:49:
I don't think there will be a big backlash against this. It's not like they are killing the team. They already play off campus (surprise) and have played off campus before. Like I said before, with rising tuition cost the baseball program will start to loose money. If the athletic department can save some money, they'll do it. Plus, they are probably also looking at selling or leasing the land under Packard to the university to build a dorm or other building. Wouldn't be surprised.
Honestly, is it about the team or the stadium? Which is more important?
: ::: This is where it's important to have an AD that gets the value of a good baseball program. USC's program turned to shit while L.L. was there and she obviously sees baseball as a nuisance even though it's the most successful and tradition rich program on campus. I hope there is a huge backlash against any kind of move off campus. For the same reasons that have been mentioned before. Let's not turn ASU baseball into spring training baseball. Keep it on campus to allow students to attend games and make noise for the team. Keep it on campus so young kids in the area can get up close to great players working their behinds off on the field without their parents having to part with a 3 days salary to get them in the stadium and feed them. Keep it an ASU tradition that so many of us love and respect.
: : I don't disagree, UofA has already made the decision to move into the Old Rockies facility.
: : My question is, will the administration allow a fund raising effort to rebuilt Packard?
: : At UofA, I would say there is no chance they are letting the money go anywhere other than football with a 85-90 million dollar make over of Arizona stadium coming.
: : So is this inevitable for both school that the AD's are not going to let the money go anywhere other than football?
: : : : Brand new professional stadium. Practice games with the Cubs. Only a couple of miles from ASU. Better seats, concession stands, bathrooms, etc.
: : : : This wouldn't help recruiting? Alumni wouldn't want to see ASU play in a nice stadium? Pricetag: $2 million vs $20 million for a renovation of Packard.
: : : : I say it's a done deal. Unless someone is going to pony up $20 million (fat chance), so long to Packard.
: : : :: I'd be curious to know how many baseball season tickets all the people celebrating this merger with the Cubs have. Administration--they don't pay to park or attend the games. The Media--they never pay to see a game or park. The occasional fans-- they can afford to come to a few games, especially when the Devils are winning. Me, I have 16 season tickets and together with some of my friends we own 34 baseball season tickets. You know that ticket prices will probably triple, and parking will be at least $5-$10 per game so the Cubs can afford to pay ASU their yearly guaranteed money. Fans and especially families now can bring in food at Packard making it a reasonably priced event but do you think the Cubs will allow food to be brought in? NO! I really don't look at having an $8 dollar beer or a $6 dollar Hotdog as an upgrade. I don't attend Spring Training or Diamondbacks games for a reason. Paying the high prices is part of the reason pro sports salaries are out of control.
: : : I do understand that there would be some possible recruiting and short term financial benefits to the proposed deal but I think a much better solution for ASU would be to do some improvements to Packard i.e. lights etc. for much less than $20-25 Million dallars. Then play some of the expected large attendance games and the Regionals at a nearby facility like this proposed Cubs stadium, Phoenix Muni, or Tempe Diablo like we used to do before Packard was built. These stadiums all have good lights, press facilities, and larger seating capacity.
: : : The Cubs are not making this offer out of the goodness of their heart; It's ALL about the money and the ASU administration wants the money for football and basketball. The only times I see the AD or Dr. Crow at Packard is during the Regionals or some quasi political occasion. They really don't care about baseball and ASU traditions. I have seen nearly 1,000 ASU baseball games over the past 39 years and I know a little about ASU baseball and tradition. This will ultimately be a bad deal for ASU and it's students and fans. JMHO