If you were at Wrigley Field or saw the right field corner on TV this past weekend and thought "something looks different", you were right. This corner, where there used to be large metal doors, now has see-through gates like the ones on the outfield wall in right field. The gates were installed to help move the concert equipment in and out during the road trip, and it was decided to leave them there, leaving another "knothole" for people inside the park to view the field at field level.
I didn't notice it until this weekend but those old steel doors (like the Under Armor doors) are really pretty wicked.
They had all kinds of metal that a player could get snagged on including a 6 inch padlock. Look here at Reed Johnson. He comes down 8 inches to the right and he gets one nasty gash up his leg. That loop of rope could cause a problem too.
not whether Gameboard will get hurt on those doors, it’s WHEN he will get hurt. Do I smell a little over/under on how many games until it happens, maybe the inning for a tie-breaker?
It slices and dices outfielders in a matter of seconds.
Look- you can make julienne outfielders; country-style outfielders; even French fried outfielders.
Why, just look at how easily it dices these minor leaguers! AMAZING!
Just think what it can do with MAJOR leaguers.
And it’s easy to clean! Just wash it off with the field hose and let drain.
What would YOU pay for this fantastic appliance?
But wait! Don’t answer yet!
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But, what would be so different from the metal doors to the gates, that would make it easier to move staging and AV equipment through the same space? I mean… the size of the door opening didn’t change, so what’s the difference?
The fences are probably lighter weight than the doors, that’s the only thing I can think of. In any case, that’s what I heard yesterday was the reason for putting those there.
Maybe it's just something the Cubs planned for a bit...
and had the opportunity to do last week? I mean… those doors had to have been ordered way in advance. It’s not like they could just swap them out on a whim.
Who knows. But… it’s really not a big deal… well, unless someone gets hurt (cross your fingers for good luck).
My guess if the new gates were installed for non-bleacher ticket holders.
Since the interior portion of the original “knothole” gate is only accessible with those holding bleacher tickets, this gives other ticket holders the opportunity to look onto the field at field level. The new gate is opposite the barricades that separate the bleachers from the grandstand public area.
How long until Milton Bradley
runs straight through this chasing a foul ball?
Fukudometer - July 27, 2009
If first pitch is 7:05 tonight
then he will run through it a short time thereafter
Strickland843 - July 27, 2009
Maybe they should take the field by crashing through it
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
Only
if there is also some pyrotechnics involved
Strickland843 - July 27, 2009
I wonder what one can see through here
Since it looks like it’s facing across the outfield. Nice idea regardless.
ChipSet - July 27, 2009 via mobile
I looked.
You can see most of the outfield.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
I was so hoping that was a typo...
and that New Edition was coming to Wrigley Field.
digitalbenjamin - July 27, 2009
New Edition and Bel Biv Devoe
Face 2 Face 2 Face 2 Face 2 Face 2 Face 2 Face Tour
Fukudometer - July 27, 2009
Knot holes
If they ever do renovate Wrigley, I could see them adding some more field-level stuff like that along the foul lines
mike_thom - July 27, 2009
The field level seats in the outfield
at the Mets new ballpark look really cool.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Going for that Ebbets Field feel
Their bleachers came down to the field, but they were about 50 feet from the foul lines. Still an interesting idea for seating though
Musicdude10 - July 27, 2009
That doesn't look too padded . . .
I’m not sure it’s a good idea
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
It's more padded than the metal doors that were in that space before.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
Great minds, Al.
BleedsbluinMI - July 27, 2009
I didn't notice it until this weekend but those old steel doors (like the Under Armor doors) are really pretty wicked.
They had all kinds of metal that a player could get snagged on including a 6 inch padlock. Look here at Reed Johnson. He comes down 8 inches to the right and he gets one nasty gash up his leg. That loop of rope could cause a problem too.
A little padding is better than solid metal.
The New No 2 - July 27, 2009
Reed looks like he's lost a little weight.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
I forgot to preview. My bad.
The New No 2 - July 27, 2009
I don't think the doors that used to be there were, either.
Weren’t they just flat panel steel type doors? If so, this might be a little better. I’d like to have chance to see the field from that level.
BleedsbluinMI - July 27, 2009
And, you know...
more padded than an ivy-covered brick wall.
Bildo1805 - July 27, 2009
The ivy isn't going away
And hadn’t they added padding to the doors?
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
No, there was no padding on those doors.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
I don't know why I thought that there was
There ought to be.
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
So what's the brown stuff, then?
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
Try this instead
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
Huh.
You’re absolutely right. I had forgotten those pads were on the doors.
Nevertheless, the fence that’s there is softer than the doors — I doubt it will be an issue.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
Incidentally...
… that photo is from 2005 or before. That’s the old bleachers.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
In my poorly worded first comment
I was thinking (not writing) about the chain link fence. It seems like that would hurt more than the padding, but I don’t know.
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
I'll take a closer look at that fence later....
… to see what it is actually made of.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
the chain link
will flex. Not terribly comfortable, but not brick, either. :D
drewishdrewid - July 27, 2009
Sure, but the brick was padded
I’m not sure that the new fence will be as soft
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
When Milton Bradley runs through...
…the fence at Wrigley Field, he runs through a Tru-Link fence.
Shawon O Meter - July 27, 2009
Win.
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
If we're really concerned about player safety, here...
Then the brick walls are a problem.
Bildo1805 - July 27, 2009
I realize that.
There’s a brick wall there. I get it. In fact, I’ve known that for some time.
We all know that the ivy isn’t coming down. That doesn’t preclude padding the other walls.
I thought there was padding added to those doors. Sorry for offending anyone with that egregious error.
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
Wow.
Re-read.
Re-read again.
You’re being a little defensive, aren’t you?
What I’m saying is that with this field, player safety doesn’t come first. So it shouldn’t be surprising that there’s not a ton of padding.
Bildo1805 - July 27, 2009
Perhaps I was being defensive.
And I understand your point. My last sentence wasn’t necessary.
See above though . . . turns out I was correct.
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
I heard they were considering padding the ivy next year.
Is that true?
digitalbenjamin - July 27, 2009
No, they're going to soften it by giving it a PED
Shanghai Badger - July 27, 2009
The question is
not whether Gameboard will get hurt on those doors, it’s WHEN he will get hurt. Do I smell a little over/under on how many games until it happens, maybe the inning for a tie-breaker?
IUJoe - July 27, 2009
This makes no sense.
The doors went from metal to chain-link. How does this increase Bradley’s chances of getting hurt?
Bildo1805 - July 27, 2009
This doesn't have to make sense
because it is a JOKE.
IUJoe - July 27, 2009
Must have missed the punchline.
Bildo1805 - July 27, 2009
Get yourself a genuine Wrigley Field VEG-O-MATIC!
It slices and dices outfielders in a matter of seconds.
Look- you can make julienne outfielders; country-style outfielders; even French fried outfielders.
Why, just look at how easily it dices these minor leaguers! AMAZING!
Just think what it can do with MAJOR leaguers.
And it’s easy to clean! Just wash it off with the field hose and let drain.
What would YOU pay for this fantastic appliance?
But wait! Don’t answer yet!
Because for a limited time offer, you can get TWO Wrigley Field VEG-O-MATICS for one low price of only $19.95 (plus shipping and handling)
Don’t delay! Send before midnight tonight so you don’t forget to:
Wrigley Field VEG-O-MATIC
1060 W. Addison
Chicago, IL
Please allow two to four weeks for processing…
Zeke - July 27, 2009
It's not sold in any store.
Operators are standing by. If you order today you get a Ginsu knife AND a Pocket Fisherman. Now how much would you pay? Take advantage of this amazing TV offer!
katie casey - July 27, 2009
Great - now Milton Bradley can get field-level booing in stereo...
ballhawk - July 27, 2009
exactlly what I was thinking
an easier way for drunk fans to heckle
digitalbenjamin - July 27, 2009
nice
addition
ndcubs - July 27, 2009
Just curious...
But, what would be so different from the metal doors to the gates, that would make it easier to move staging and AV equipment through the same space? I mean… the size of the door opening didn’t change, so what’s the difference?
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Yeah, I was wondering that myself.
The fences are probably lighter weight than the doors, that’s the only thing I can think of. In any case, that’s what I heard yesterday was the reason for putting those there.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
You'd think the doors would just stay wide open through the loading/unloading process anyway.
Odd.
SackMan - July 27, 2009
Maybe the heavier doors didn't.
Al Yellon - July 27, 2009
Maybe it's just something the Cubs planned for a bit...
and had the opportunity to do last week? I mean… those doors had to have been ordered way in advance. It’s not like they could just swap them out on a whim.
Who knows. But… it’s really not a big deal… well, unless someone gets hurt (cross your fingers for good luck).
SackMan - July 27, 2009
How soon before Zell has the old doors out for bid on eBay?
each one could make a cool conference room table.
Bidding starts at…
LAcarl519 - July 27, 2009
check that, it would be the BK Trustee putting it on eBay at this point.
LAcarl519 - July 27, 2009
I say
Hoff is the first one to break through them, and than actually catch the ball.
wild bill - July 27, 2009
he won't stop running until he hits the Harry statue
digitalbenjamin - July 27, 2009
My guess if the new gates were installed for non-bleacher ticket holders.
Since the interior portion of the original “knothole” gate is only accessible with those holding bleacher tickets, this gives other ticket holders the opportunity to look onto the field at field level. The new gate is opposite the barricades that separate the bleachers from the grandstand public area.
David Sameshima - July 27, 2009
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