What is this?

https://crowdfund.niu.edu/project/28360

Quote: NIU Athletics would like to announce an integral fundraising campaign that will resurface the infield at Ralph McKinzie Field with synthetic grass turf.

The current baseball field is an abomination, specifically the orientation is an utter disgrace. Whoever approved that many years ago should have been fired and publicly flogged. I’m embarrassed and ashamed for Athletics, the University, and as an Alumni.

Didn’t the “Master Plan” have an action item to correct this? Has that been completely abandoned?

http://niusustain.com/capital-projects/b...cages.html

Quote:Ralph McKinzie Field’s relocation to a new stadium is just South of the recently-constructed outdoor recreation sports complex and just northeast of the Convocation Center. A batter standing at home plate will face to the North/Northeast looking at the pitcher’s mound instead of looking directly into the sun.

The current field faces almost due South. That would be the worst among MLB Ballparks.

https://tht.fangraphs.com/lost-in-the-su...ientation/

Quote:”It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East-Northeast.”

Any money spent to put lipstick on the current pig of a baseball field, I would argue is also a fireable offense. I’ve seen estimates of $4M for this facility enhancement project (all private donations, but still). That’s a lot of money to NOT FIX the largest fundamental deficiency with the facility.

How anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics allows a baseball field to be installed facing the wrong direction is beyond comprehension. That anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics does not fix the problem and instead buries their head in the sand and pours more funds into it is unfathomable.

I’m exasperated. How? How? Why? How?

Please someone tell me that I missed the announcement of the relocation and that these planned upgrades will be done at the new location and not WASTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to “spruce up” the current disgrace of a baseball field.

At the last home football game, I walked into the area beyond the RF fence. They were nearly complete with installing a brand new bullpen area and at least two outdoor screened batting cages. So, yes, it appears they are leaving the field location as is.

(11-01-2021 12:25 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  At the last home football game, I walked into the area beyond the RF fence. They were nearly complete with installing a brand new bullpen area and at least two outdoor screened batting cages. So, yes, it appears they are leaving the field location as is.

Un-Fūcking-Believable!

The wrong-way field has been discussed over and over on the board for some time, and in fact many cited the 2014-2015 master plan statement that home plate facing the wrong way was a major advantage to moving it. None of that is new; just a rehash of our A-Dept.'s reluctance to share anything with the people it asks to contribute.

And no, there was never an announcement of that change in the MP.

IMO, the 2020 announcement of renaming the whole complex Owens Park was timed with launching the fund-raising campaign to at least get something done. And let's not forget Cheney's Twitter blurb earlier this year about something big happening about baseball (which was followed up by ... crickets.)

I am not happy about our A-Dept. shifting gears just to cut a ribbon to show they're doing something/anything. Do it right or ...

Sean Frazier seems to have completely given up on the master facilities plan. Whatever money was spent on that plan seems to have been money wasted.

This plan for improving the current baseball field has been around for at least two years now. I remember seeing it in 2019.

(11-01-2021 06:19 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  This plan for improving the current baseball field has been around for at least two years now. I remember seeing it in 2019.

I obviously missed the part where they abandoned the relocation portion.

How does the biggest flaw just get glossed over?

How does that get approved?

Unadulterated incompetence.

(11-01-2021 11:45 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  What is this?

https://crowdfund.niu.edu/project/28360

Quote: NIU Athletics would like to announce an integral fundraising campaign that will resurface the infield at Ralph McKinzie Field with synthetic grass turf.

The current baseball field is an abomination, specifically the orientation is an utter disgrace. Whoever approved that many years ago should have been fired and publicly flogged. I’m embarrassed and ashamed for Athletics, the University, and as an Alumni.

Didn’t the “Master Plan” have an action item to correct this? Has that been completely abandoned?

http://niusustain.com/capital-projects/b...cages.html

Quote:Ralph McKinzie Field’s relocation to a new stadium is just South of the recently-constructed outdoor recreation sports complex and just northeast of the Convocation Center. A batter standing at home plate will face to the North/Northeast looking at the pitcher’s mound instead of looking directly into the sun.

The current field faces almost due South. That would be the worst among MLB Ballparks.

https://tht.fangraphs.com/lost-in-the-su...ientation/

Quote:”It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East-Northeast.”

Any money spent to put lipstick on the current pig of a baseball field, I would argue is also a fireable offense. I’ve seen estimates of $4M for this facility enhancement project (all private donations, but still). That’s a lot of money to NOT FIX the largest fundamental deficiency with the facility.

How anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics allows a baseball field to be installed facing the wrong direction is beyond comprehension. That anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics does not fix the problem and instead buries their head in the sand and pours more funds into it is unfathomable.

I’m exasperated. How? How? Why? How?

Please someone tell me that I missed the announcement of the relocation and that these planned upgrades will be done at the new location and not WASTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to “spruce up” the current disgrace of a baseball field.

This is a really good post but so I hope this doesn't come off as flippant, but is this really THAT big a deal? What does this really effect? Is NIU at a competitive/recruiting disadvantage because of it?

I feel like $4 million is nothing to stick your nose up at just because the field faces an uncommon way.

(11-01-2021 07:15 PM)7 Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 11:45 AM)NorthCoast Wrote:  What is this?

https://crowdfund.niu.edu/project/28360

Quote: NIU Athletics would like to announce an integral fundraising campaign that will resurface the infield at Ralph McKinzie Field with synthetic grass turf.

The current baseball field is an abomination, specifically the orientation is an utter disgrace. Whoever approved that many years ago should have been fired and publicly flogged. I’m embarrassed and ashamed for Athletics, the University, and as an Alumni.

Didn’t the “Master Plan” have an action item to correct this? Has that been completely abandoned?

http://niusustain.com/capital-projects/b...cages.html

Quote:Ralph McKinzie Field’s relocation to a new stadium is just South of the recently-constructed outdoor recreation sports complex and just northeast of the Convocation Center. A batter standing at home plate will face to the North/Northeast looking at the pitcher’s mound instead of looking directly into the sun.

The current field faces almost due South. That would be the worst among MLB Ballparks.

https://tht.fangraphs.com/lost-in-the-su...ientation/

Quote:”It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East-Northeast.”

Any money spent to put lipstick on the current pig of a baseball field, I would argue is also a fireable offense. I’ve seen estimates of $4M for this facility enhancement project (all private donations, but still). That’s a lot of money to NOT FIX the largest fundamental deficiency with the facility.

How anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics allows a baseball field to be installed facing the wrong direction is beyond comprehension. That anyone with any sort of common sense, or worse still, background in Athletics does not fix the problem and instead buries their head in the sand and pours more funds into it is unfathomable.

I’m exasperated. How? How? Why? How?

Please someone tell me that I missed the announcement of the relocation and that these planned upgrades will be done at the new location and not WASTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to “spruce up” the current disgrace of a baseball field.

This is a really good post but so I hope this doesn't come off as flippant, but is this really THAT big a deal? What does this really effect? Is NIU at a competitive/recruiting disadvantage because of it?

I feel like $4 million is nothing to stick your nose up at just because the field faces an uncommon way.

I'm not sure what kind of effect this would have on recruiting (although, having one of the worst ballfields in D-1 probably hampers it more than its alignment) but having a ballfield face due south means, for a day game, the hitters are facing the sun.

Which is about the dumbest thing ever.

Nobody missed anything ... because it wasn't there. The announcement for the field renovations at the current site was made in February 2020.

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2020/2/19/ni...-plan.aspx

That was it ... the only announcement/reveal.

At the time, I suggested that since NIU couldn't afford to do it all at once, use the existing field while phasing in development on the new site over a few years. No big deal if it took a little snow, rain, etc. It's an outdoor stadium, and would have artificial turf. Gee whiz ... that happens when anything is built outdoors over several years. But for that I absorbed some heat from others on this board who wanted it all at once, all at once, all at once when NIU obviously couldn't afford the (then-est.) $4 1/2 million pricetag.

Hey guess what? That is exactly what they're going to do with this three-phase project anyway at the current site. And still end up with the field facing the wrong way. And spend $4 million doing it.

Not bragging, but we usually skirt the edge of the personal around here. I spent several decades dealing directly and indirectly with land, site, project and real estate developers, including stormwater retention and drainage, transportation and landscape planners. The only thing I added to the stadium idea was common sense.

What this boils down to is STF & Co. needing something to show for their years of planning plans to make more plans ... i.e., "who cares if it's wrong and we'll be stuck with it? Let's just DO something." Well, kiss that new (and proper) stadium design/location good-bye.

Now, let's see, where DID we put that plan to sell naming rights to the Convo? (Out to bids approved in 2018).

Screw it. I wouldn't give them 10 cents for a physical project until they make a real plan that makes sense, and stick to it. Bitter, but at least I feel better.

(11-02-2021 02:56 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Nobody missed anything ... because it wasn't there. The announcement for the field renovations at the current site was made in February 2020.

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2020/2/19/ni...-plan.aspx

That was it ... the only announcement/reveal.

At the time, I suggested that since NIU couldn't afford to do it all at once, use the existing field while phasing in development on the new site over a few years. No big deal if it took a little snow, rain, etc. It's an outdoor stadium, and would have artificial turf. Gee whiz ... that happens when anything is built outdoors over several years. But for that I absorbed some heat from others on this board who wanted it all at once, all at once, all at once when NIU obviously couldn't afford the (then-est.) $4 1/2 million pricetag.

Hey guess what? That is exactly what they're going to do with this three-phase project anyway at the current site. And still end up with the field facing the wrong way. And spend $4 million doing it.

Not bragging, but we usually skirt the edge of the personal around here. I spent several decades dealing directly and indirectly with land, site, project and real estate developers, including stormwater retention and drainage, transportation and landscape planners. The only thing I added to the stadium idea was common sense.

What this boils down to is STF & Co. needing something to show for their years of planning plans to make more plans ... i.e., "who cares if it's wrong and we'll be stuck with it? Let's just DO something." Well, kiss that new (and proper) stadium design/location good-bye.

Now, let's see, where DID we put that plan to sell naming rights to the Convo? (Out to bids approved in 2018).

Screw it. I wouldn't give them 10 cents for a physical project until they make a real plan that makes sense, and stick to it. Bitter, but at least I feel better.

Didn't recently promoted Assistant Athletic Director Cheney put some pictures outside the field to make us feel better? He is working hard to get new pictures made so he can hang them outside the field for spring.

(11-02-2021 02:56 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Nobody missed anything ... because it wasn't there. The announcement for the field renovations at the current site was made in February 2020.

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2020/2/19/ni...-plan.aspx

That was it ... the only announcement/reveal.

At the time, I suggested that since NIU couldn't afford to do it all at once, use the existing field while phasing in development on the new site over a few years. No big deal if it took a little snow, rain, etc. It's an outdoor stadium, and would have artificial turf. Gee whiz ... that happens when anything is built outdoors over several years. But for that I absorbed some heat from others on this board who wanted it all at once, all at once, all at once when NIU obviously couldn't afford the (then-est.) $4 1/2 million pricetag.

Hey guess what? That is exactly what they're going to do with this three-phase project anyway at the current site. And still end up with the field facing the wrong way. And spend $4 million doing it.

Not bragging, but we usually skirt the edge of the personal around here. I spent several decades dealing directly and indirectly with land, site, project and real estate developers, including stormwater retention and drainage, transportation and landscape planners. The only thing I added to the stadium idea was common sense.

What this boils down to is STF & Co. needing something to show for their years of planning plans to make more plans ... i.e., "who cares if it's wrong and we'll be stuck with it? Let's just DO something." Well, kiss that new (and proper) stadium design/location good-bye.

Now, let's see, where DID we put that plan to sell naming rights to the Convo? (Out to bids approved in 2018).

Screw it. I wouldn't give them 10 cents for a physical project until they make a real plan that makes sense, and stick to it. Bitter, but at least I feel better.

Followed the link. So instead of spending 4-5 million building an all new baseball stadium in a proper location/alignment, they now plan to dribble 4 million or so into the current bad location over a several year period? How does Sean Frazier have a job? ...or sleep at night? This guy sucks.

(11-03-2021 11:29 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 02:56 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Nobody missed anything ... because it wasn't there. The announcement for the field renovations at the current site was made in February 2020.

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2020/2/19/ni...-plan.aspx

That was it ... the only announcement/reveal.

At the time, I suggested that since NIU couldn't afford to do it all at once, use the existing field while phasing in development on the new site over a few years. No big deal if it took a little snow, rain, etc. It's an outdoor stadium, and would have artificial turf. Gee whiz ... that happens when anything is built outdoors over several years. But for that I absorbed some heat from others on this board who wanted it all at once, all at once, all at once when NIU obviously couldn't afford the (then-est.) $4 1/2 million pricetag.

Hey guess what? That is exactly what they're going to do with this three-phase project anyway at the current site. And still end up with the field facing the wrong way. And spend $4 million doing it.

Not bragging, but we usually skirt the edge of the personal around here. I spent several decades dealing directly and indirectly with land, site, project and real estate developers, including stormwater retention and drainage, transportation and landscape planners. The only thing I added to the stadium idea was common sense.

What this boils down to is STF & Co. needing something to show for their years of planning plans to make more plans ... i.e., "who cares if it's wrong and we'll be stuck with it? Let's just DO something." Well, kiss that new (and proper) stadium design/location good-bye.

Now, let's see, where DID we put that plan to sell naming rights to the Convo? (Out to bids approved in 2018).

Screw it. I wouldn't give them 10 cents for a physical project until they make a real plan that makes sense, and stick to it. Bitter, but at least I feel better.

Followed the link. So instead of spending 4-5 million building an all new baseball stadium in a proper location/alignment, they now plan to dribble 4 million or so into the current bad location over a several year period? How does Sean Frazier have a job? ...or sleep at night? This guy sucks.

Fwiw, 4 million right now is not the same as 4 million spread over several years.

(11-03-2021 12:28 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 11:29 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 02:56 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  Nobody missed anything ... because it wasn't there. The announcement for the field renovations at the current site was made in February 2020.

https://niuhuskies.com/news/2020/2/19/ni...-plan.aspx

That was it ... the only announcement/reveal.

At the time, I suggested that since NIU couldn't afford to do it all at once, use the existing field while phasing in development on the new site over a few years. No big deal if it took a little snow, rain, etc. It's an outdoor stadium, and would have artificial turf. Gee whiz ... that happens when anything is built outdoors over several years. But for that I absorbed some heat from others on this board who wanted it all at once, all at once, all at once when NIU obviously couldn't afford the (then-est.) $4 1/2 million pricetag.

Hey guess what? That is exactly what they're going to do with this three-phase project anyway at the current site. And still end up with the field facing the wrong way. And spend $4 million doing it.

Not bragging, but we usually skirt the edge of the personal around here. I spent several decades dealing directly and indirectly with land, site, project and real estate developers, including stormwater retention and drainage, transportation and landscape planners. The only thing I added to the stadium idea was common sense.

What this boils down to is STF & Co. needing something to show for their years of planning plans to make more plans ... i.e., "who cares if it's wrong and we'll be stuck with it? Let's just DO something." Well, kiss that new (and proper) stadium design/location good-bye.

Now, let's see, where DID we put that plan to sell naming rights to the Convo? (Out to bids approved in 2018).

Screw it. I wouldn't give them 10 cents for a physical project until they make a real plan that makes sense, and stick to it. Bitter, but at least I feel better.

Followed the link. So instead of spending 4-5 million building an all new baseball stadium in a proper location/alignment, they now plan to dribble 4 million or so into the current bad location over a several year period? How does Sean Frazier have a job? ...or sleep at night? This guy sucks.

Fwiw, 4 million right now is not the same as 4 million spread over several years.

Are you captain obvious, or STF himself?

Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

(11-03-2021 12:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

Would it be possible to put seating on top of the practice facility?

I'm sure they'd also have to make changes inside for a way to get up there and/or a place not to provide water and hotdogs.

Just wondering.

(11-03-2021 01:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 12:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

Would it be possible to put seating on top of the practice facility?

I'm sure they'd also have to make changes inside for a way to get up there and/or a place not to provide water and hotdogs.

Just wondering.

Are you saying that they should put seats on top of that pole barn they want to make?

(11-04-2021 12:55 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 01:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 12:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

Would it be possible to put seating on top of the practice facility?

I'm sure they'd also have to make changes inside for a way to get up there and/or a place not to provide water and hotdogs.

Just wondering.

Are you saying that they should put seats on top of that pole barn they want to make?

No. On top of the Yordon Center. The part closest to the field is where (I assume) offices and whatnot is located and has a flat roof. It's the brick part where the players run out from.

Could they put seats up there?

I'm just staying, if they're wanting to take space away from The Yard for corporate stuff, why not put it up there or create some kind of VIP area that is all enclosed and caters to people who want to spend some cheddar. Like a club level or something.

(11-04-2021 05:19 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-04-2021 12:55 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 01:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 12:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

Would it be possible to put seating on top of the practice facility?

I'm sure they'd also have to make changes inside for a way to get up there and/or a place not to provide water and hotdogs.

Just wondering.

Are you saying that they should put seats on top of that pole barn they want to make?

No. On top of the Yordon Center. The part closest to the field is where (I assume) offices and whatnot is located and has a flat roof. It's the brick part where the players run out from.

Could they put seats up there?

I'm just staying, if they're wanting to take space away from The Yard for corporate stuff, why not put it up there or create some kind of VIP area that is all enclosed and caters to people who want to spend some cheddar. Like a club level or something.

Scratch that idea.

I'm all messed up and confused...

For whatever reason, when I read "The Yard" I was thinking of the area below the scoreboard where the beer garden is and was thinking they were taking away some of that area.

I clearly was way off as The Yard is outside the stadium. I'm not sure what I was thinking.

(11-04-2021 05:21 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-04-2021 05:19 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-04-2021 12:55 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 01:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 12:50 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  Big Red is correct in one respect. As I indicated, the financial similarity is between what I suggested as a project plan and what they are going to do; neither calls for having $4-$4 1/2 million up front.

My aim also was to point out the similar methodology: a three-phase plan over time (obviously with fund-raisers for each phase) and doing the same thing at the new site while using the current field. The latter results in a) a modern new stadium facing the right way and b) a huge bonus space on the west side of Huskie Stadium that can either be developed or used as open space.

Added comment: athletic board minutes (I posted on another thread) indicate they want to take Yard space away from current users, clubs, entertainment, etc. and use it for corporate sponsors to make more $$. Space in The Yard is limited. With the new-old stadium plan I suggested, they'd have the space to do both and maybe expand to improve tailgating and draw.

Now I quit on this.

Would it be possible to put seating on top of the practice facility?

I'm sure they'd also have to make changes inside for a way to get up there and/or a place not to provide water and hotdogs.

Just wondering.

Are you saying that they should put seats on top of that pole barn they want to make?

No. On top of the Yordon Center. The part closest to the field is where (I assume) offices and whatnot is located and has a flat roof. It's the brick part where the players run out from.

Could they put seats up there?

I'm just staying, if they're wanting to take space away from The Yard for corporate stuff, why not put it up there or create some kind of VIP area that is all enclosed and caters to people who want to spend some cheddar. Like a club level or something.

Scratch that idea.

I'm all messed up and confused...

For whatever reason, when I read "The Yard" I was thinking of the area below the scoreboard where the beer garden is and was thinking they were taking away some of that area.

I clearly was way off as The Yard is outside the stadium. I'm not sure what I was thinking.

The mind is the second thing to go.