Driller's Stadium Construction Progress

[sgrizzle]

Someone confirm for me....  I keep hearing from an avid baseball fan of mine who has had season tickets to the Drillers for years and would certainly know about baseball stuff, that the new ballpark does not meet the standards of minor league baseball for distance in the outfield.  In other words, the field is too small. 

I believe the size was addressed earlier and it was smaller, but not too small for regulation play. There was a comment before by some on here that it would make gameplay more exciting.

His other complaint is, when you are the batter, catcher or home plate umpire, and you are playing an evening game, you will face southwest... straight into the sun... and not be able to see. If the batter is.. well, looking at the pitcher, he would be facing SE and a giant black backdrop behind the pitcher.

The batter, catcher and umpire would have to be facing first base, or to the right of it.

[rwarn17588]

Someone confirm for me....  I keep hearing from an avid baseball fan of mine who has had season tickets to the Drillers for years and would certainly know about baseball stuff, that the new ballpark does not meet the standards of minor league baseball for distance in the outfield.  In other words, the field is too small.  His other complaint is, when you are the batter, catcher or home plate umpire, and you are playing an evening game, you will face southwest... straight into the sun... and not be able to see.

Well, the first part is definitely wrong.

The ballpark is a tad short down the lines, but there's a very good reason for that. The prevailing winds come from the south and southwest, making it harder to hit a home run. So you bring in the fences a bit to keep too many 1-0 games from happening.

I'm not sure what "standards" you're talking about. The dimensions of ballparks in the minor leagues are all over the place. Just perusing a Web site dedicated to minor-league ballparks, there are places where it's as short as 251 feet down the line to a cavernous 360 feet down the line. That's a lot of leeway.

There are a few ballparks in the major leagues that also are short pokes down the line -- Fenway Park in particular, where its right field is 302 feet. Pac Bell Park in San Francisco has a right field that's just 307 feet, yet it remains one of the toughest places to hit a home run in the majors because of the wind.

The history of baseball is loaded with ballparks of odd dimensions. You've got that configuration in Fenway in which it's 390 feet in center, but a spot in right center that juts out to 420 feet. Current Yankee Stadium has a normal center field, but a deep left center that's nearly 400 feet. Wrigley Field dimensions are long down the lines, but short in the power alleys.

And the older ballparks that were in service for decades also had weird dimensions. The old Polo Grounds in NYC was less than 260 feet down the line, but had a center field that was 505 feet. Ebbets Field in Brooklyn was less than 300 feet down the right line. Then you had the curiosity that was Crosley Field in Cincinnati, which featured fairly abrupt and steep slope near the left-field fence.

The truth is that ballpark dimensions are variable, and to preach about baseball "standards" is showing ignorance about the game's history and many idiosyncrasies.

Having actually driven to Drillers' new stadium and checked the configuration, I can attest that the batter faces the southeast, not the southwest. And there are at least six major-league ballparks that face to the southeast:

http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/index.htm

And as one poster here noted, ORU's ballpark also faces southeast like the new Drillers stadium. Players have played games for decades with no apparent complaints. It might be an issue at a certain time of day if you're an outfielder, but that's it.

If you're an outfielder who's worried about the sun, there's a device called sunglasses. I hear they're very handy.

[Renaissance]

The sun should never be an issue if the game times are always 6:35, 7:05, or 12:15 (Sundays). 

By "not big enough," I didn't mean dimensions of the field.  I just think they underestimated the crowds this thing is going to draw and didn't install enough seats.  One of the principals in the deal told me that was the kind of problem they would hope to have.  I thought they were being dense and hadn't looked enough at the attendance spike that results when teams build new downtown ballparks.    But, on the other hand, it's Lamson's business and he's the one who drew the thing up--so I assume he's getting the ballpark he wanted.  I just hope it's the ballpark Tulsa needed.

[RecycleMichael]

I think a ballpark packed with fans is better than a park of fans spread out. Yes, hopefully there will be some games where it will sell out and wish they had built it bigger, but I think the ambience will be better for most games.

That is why I have season tickets. I chose first base line just past the dugouts.

Play ball!

[sgrizzle]

The sun should never be an issue if the game times are always 6:35, 7:05, or 12:15 (Sundays). 

By "not big enough," I didn't mean dimensions of the field.  I just think they underestimated the crowds this thing is going to draw and didn't install enough seats.  One of the principals in the deal told me that was the kind of problem they would hope to have.  I thought they were being dense and hadn't looked enough at the attendance spike that results when teams build new downtown ballparks.    But, on the other hand, it's Lamson's business and he's the one who drew the thing up--so I assume he's getting the ballpark he wanted.  I just hope it's the ballpark Tulsa needed.

Remember though that the new field has alternate seating like the grassy berms and terraced areas in left field and you will also have people outside.

It's not all int eh physical seat count.

[rwarn17588]

The sun should never be an issue if the game times are always 6:35, 7:05, or 12:15 (Sundays). 

By "not big enough," I didn't mean dimensions of the field.  I just think they underestimated the crowds this thing is going to draw and didn't install enough seats.  One of the principals in the deal told me that was the kind of problem they would hope to have.  I thought they were being dense and hadn't looked enough at the attendance spike that results when teams build new downtown ballparks.    But, on the other hand, it's Lamson's business and he's the one who drew the thing up--so I assume he's getting the ballpark he wanted.  I just hope it's the ballpark Tulsa needed.

It'd have to be one hell of a jump in attendance to actually fill the ballpark night after night. Average attendance last year was 4,500, and the average was up because of the "last season at Drillers Stadium" angle. Maximum capacity of Oneok Field is about 8,000. You're looking at nearly a 100 percent increase to max it out night after night.

And if it's not big enough for some nights, so be it. There are certain big-league games in which you can't find a ticket even if you auctioned your newborn (i.e., Cardinals vs. Cubs). Sellouts are fine.

Let's put it this way ... it's much better for the overall atmosphere at a ballgame to have a smaller stadium that's 80% full than a bigger stadium that's half-full at most of the games.

[TheTed]

Those average attendance numbers are probably high as compared to actual butts in seats. Most of those weeknight games have a fraction of the attendance reported in the box score.

And the ballpark's definitely not too small. I can't imagine there will be more than a few dates a year where more seats would be needed.

[Conan71]

It'd have to be one hell of a jump in attendance to actually fill the ballpark night after night. Average attendance last year was 4,500, and the average was up because of the "last season at Drillers Stadium" angle. Maximum capacity of Oneok Field is about 8,000. You're looking at nearly a 100 percent increase to max it out night after night.

And if it's not big enough for some nights, so be it. There are certain big-league games in which you can't find a ticket even if you auctioned your newborn (i.e., Cardinals vs. Cubs). Sellouts are fine.

Let's put it this way ... it's much better for the overall atmosphere at a ballgame to have a smaller stadium that's 80% full than a bigger stadium that's half-full at most of the games.

I think that was the logic in downsizing seats at Skelly Stadium er Chapman field at Skelly, whatever the hell they call TU's football stadium these days.  I'm sure there will be lots of sell-outs at ONEOK this year simply for the new factor and I'm sure there will be lots of great promotions to drive people there.  I'd like to be at the opener, and I'm sure that will be a high demand ticket.

[JCnOwasso]

less seats = better environment.  As much as I like having an entire section to myself, It doesn't provide the appearance that the home team is supported.  The grass berm is a great addition as well.  Will be great for parents who want to enjoy a game, and have a place for the kiddos to play.

But the best thing about the stadium is the fact that it faces south/southeast.  So on those hot summer nights, you will atleast be able to feel the breeze.  And on the cool spring nights, you will be shielded from the cold north wind.

I do find it funny that the stadium might end up being one of the harder places to hit a homerun, and the MLB stadium is historically tops on the list of hitters park.  It will be interesting to see how it effects the style of play.  The drillers really are not a "basher" squad, but they do have their streaks.

I can't wait!

[rwarn17588]

I do find it funny that the stadium might end up being one of the harder places to hit a homerun, and the MLB stadium is historically tops on the list of hitters park.  

Coors Field is the best hitter's park in the majors, period. Wrigley Field used to be the best, but no longer. Batting and slugging averages are much higher for the Rockies at home than they are on the road ... we're talking 50 points' difference, minimum.

It's because of the thin air. Fly balls go longer, and pitchers' breaking pitches don't break as much -- so they're more susceptible to being mashed by hitters. And Coors Field is a hitter's paradise despite the fences being 350 feet down the line.

As for Oneok Field, who knows how good (or bad) of a hitter's park it will be? You just aren't positive until games are played there, and you see what trends and quirks emerge.

[SXSW]

A 2/15/10 update...looks like they are working on sidewalks along Elgin, maybe the streetscaping project has started?

[sgrizzle]

A 2/15/10 update...looks like they are working on sidewalks along Elgin, maybe the streetscaping project has started?

Officially, no, but they are doing the part around the ballpark anyway.

[stymied]

Kinda cool - video replay board is on this morning...

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/oneok/oneokfield

[sgrizzle]

I see at least one other video screen above the left field bowl seating.

[Conan71]

The time lapse with the snowfall and snow melt is a really cool effect.  One of the storms, the field becomes obscured from the camera, then the field is all white, then the infield dirt becomes visilble then the snow disappears toward the outfield.