I took the kidlet today. Man it was a scorcher of a day, but a fun time was had by all. It was kind of nice being able to sit wherever you wanted to, and to be able to move around during the game (upper deck to first row to somewhere in between). They won, which always helps the atmosphere. We'll definitely be back. I'm not a big baseball fan and probably won't really follow the team in a formal sense, but taking in a baseball game on a nice summer day is not a bad way to spend the day. Wish it could have been about 5 degrees cooler though.
OT: so, baseball coming back again? (All things Fat Cats)
- Thread starter littleD
- Start date
Canadian91
Registered User
Regular Season is coming to a close... believe it or not, we've got a good chance of making it through to the playoffs, since 8 of the 9 teams in the league actually make it. We sit in 8th right now 
2 games to play in the season, team behind us has 4 to play, plus they're riding a winning streak. It looks like the waiting game will come into effect.
Standings: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/standings.html?leagueid=111&seasonid=314
2 games to play in the season, team behind us has 4 to play, plus they're riding a winning streak. It looks like the waiting game will come into effect.
Standings: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/standings.html?leagueid=111&seasonid=314
Buck Aki Berg
Done with this place
Pretty sad that you can make the playoffs with such an awful record. I'm sure even the 1991 Minnesota North Stars would be rolling their eyes at that
Good news, I hope so. A revolving door of baseball franchises won't do anyone any good.
SENSfreak_03
Registered User
Could we see minor-pro back again? It certainly would make sense for the Jays.
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/bulldog/archive/2010/11/24/chiarelli-negotiating-with-blue-jays-to-bring-baseball-to-ottawa.aspx
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/bulldog/archive/2010/11/24/chiarelli-negotiating-with-blue-jays-to-bring-baseball-to-ottawa.aspx
Skrymir
Registered User
Looks like baseball in ottawa is on its last legs.
____________________________________________________________________
OTTAWA — The city should convert the Ottawa Stadium to an outdoor concert venue, sell the main parking lot to developers and forge ahead with the $8.8-million multi-path footbridge across the Queensway, according to a report to be released next week.
Councillors are to decide the long-range plans for the baseball stadium and the surrounding lands this month, beginning at council’s finance and economic development committee on Tuesday.
City staff have come forward with their recommendations, which conclude that the property at 300 Coventry Rd. is “a prime location” for mixed-use development — a combination of homes, stores and offices — as it’s next to Highway 417, as well as a hotel and conference complex at the Vanier Parkway and Coventry Road. A mere 200 metres across the highway from the existing stadium is the transitway (and future light-rail station). The VIA Rail Station is only 300 metres across the way, while the St. Laurent Shopping Centre is less that one kilometre down Coventry Road.
Being so near transit makes the site a perfect fit with the city’s intensification policy, and city staff envision that the area could “eventually grow to become the largest overall mixed-use centre outside of the downtown.”
But the future for baseball on the site isn’t as bright, according to the report.
“There is little or no current evidence to indicate that a purpose-built baseball stadium can be financially sustained in the long-term by reliance on a professional or semi-professional baseball being the predominant use for the facility,” said the report.
But city staff don’t recommend tearing it down. Instead, they believe the stadium has “great potential, because of its low rise stands and bowl-like configuration and the potential to adapt the field area if necessary for other uses.”
In particular, the report points to an “outdoor concert bowl” as a long-term option.
The 10,000-seat stadium was built in the early 1990s at a cost of $17 million to taxpayers and was home to the Ottawa Lynx baseball team until 2007. Since the Lynx left town, the stadium has been temporarily used by a number of semi-pro teams including the now-defunct Ottawa Rapidz and the Fat Cats, whose owner managed to renegotiate the team’s $108,000 lease with the city. The Intercounty Baseball League team, which arrived in town last year, has pre-sold 4,200 season tickets for 2011. In an agreement with the city, the team has an option to renew its lease for another season to conclude by October 2012.
Under the city’s recommendations, the future of the team is uncertain, but the stadium itself seems in good shape with a life expectancy of another 50 years. To keep it up between now and 2025 would cost about $6.75 million, while demolishing it would cost $2.5 million.
“Given the good condition of the stadium building, the retention of that part of the facility as part of a development would appear to be both economically and environmentally appropriate,” according to the report.
City staff also said it is “essential” that councillors approve the somewhat controversial footbridge that is to connect the stadium lands and the transit station on the other side of the highway.
The environmental assessment for the bridge has already been approved, as was $1.16 million in the 2011 budget for detailed design work.
Although the transportation committee had approved the preliminary work on the bridge, council put it on hold until there was a discussion about the Ottawa Stadium lands.
But city staff are adamant that the bridge should be built in order to increase the value of the land to be sold for development, which would more than pay for the footbridge’s hefty-seeming price tag.
“The financial uplift (from) property sale proceeds and increased property taxes that could result from transit oriented development at 300 Coventry Rd … are likely to more than exceed the costs of the pathway bridge project,” said the report.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
____________________________________________________________________
OTTAWA — The city should convert the Ottawa Stadium to an outdoor concert venue, sell the main parking lot to developers and forge ahead with the $8.8-million multi-path footbridge across the Queensway, according to a report to be released next week.
Councillors are to decide the long-range plans for the baseball stadium and the surrounding lands this month, beginning at council’s finance and economic development committee on Tuesday.
City staff have come forward with their recommendations, which conclude that the property at 300 Coventry Rd. is “a prime location” for mixed-use development — a combination of homes, stores and offices — as it’s next to Highway 417, as well as a hotel and conference complex at the Vanier Parkway and Coventry Road. A mere 200 metres across the highway from the existing stadium is the transitway (and future light-rail station). The VIA Rail Station is only 300 metres across the way, while the St. Laurent Shopping Centre is less that one kilometre down Coventry Road.
Being so near transit makes the site a perfect fit with the city’s intensification policy, and city staff envision that the area could “eventually grow to become the largest overall mixed-use centre outside of the downtown.”
But the future for baseball on the site isn’t as bright, according to the report.
“There is little or no current evidence to indicate that a purpose-built baseball stadium can be financially sustained in the long-term by reliance on a professional or semi-professional baseball being the predominant use for the facility,” said the report.
But city staff don’t recommend tearing it down. Instead, they believe the stadium has “great potential, because of its low rise stands and bowl-like configuration and the potential to adapt the field area if necessary for other uses.”
In particular, the report points to an “outdoor concert bowl” as a long-term option.
The 10,000-seat stadium was built in the early 1990s at a cost of $17 million to taxpayers and was home to the Ottawa Lynx baseball team until 2007. Since the Lynx left town, the stadium has been temporarily used by a number of semi-pro teams including the now-defunct Ottawa Rapidz and the Fat Cats, whose owner managed to renegotiate the team’s $108,000 lease with the city. The Intercounty Baseball League team, which arrived in town last year, has pre-sold 4,200 season tickets for 2011. In an agreement with the city, the team has an option to renew its lease for another season to conclude by October 2012.
Under the city’s recommendations, the future of the team is uncertain, but the stadium itself seems in good shape with a life expectancy of another 50 years. To keep it up between now and 2025 would cost about $6.75 million, while demolishing it would cost $2.5 million.
“Given the good condition of the stadium building, the retention of that part of the facility as part of a development would appear to be both economically and environmentally appropriate,” according to the report.
City staff also said it is “essential” that councillors approve the somewhat controversial footbridge that is to connect the stadium lands and the transit station on the other side of the highway.
The environmental assessment for the bridge has already been approved, as was $1.16 million in the 2011 budget for detailed design work.
Although the transportation committee had approved the preliminary work on the bridge, council put it on hold until there was a discussion about the Ottawa Stadium lands.
But city staff are adamant that the bridge should be built in order to increase the value of the land to be sold for development, which would more than pay for the footbridge’s hefty-seeming price tag.
“The financial uplift (from) property sale proceeds and increased property taxes that could result from transit oriented development at 300 Coventry Rd … are likely to more than exceed the costs of the pathway bridge project,” said the report.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Alex The Loyal
Andlauer Appreciator
Hey, I found this thread. Does search not work anymore around here?
Anyways, Ottawa won their first round of the IBL playoffs in 5 games against London. Now into the semi-finals, playing the first place Barrie Baycats.
Game 1: Ottawa 10-6 Barrie
Game 2: Ottawa 7-2 Barrie
Game's three and four are at Ottawa Stadium. Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 4pm.
Anyways, Ottawa won their first round of the IBL playoffs in 5 games against London. Now into the semi-finals, playing the first place Barrie Baycats.
Game 1: Ottawa 10-6 Barrie
Game 2: Ottawa 7-2 Barrie
Game's three and four are at Ottawa Stadium. Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 4pm.
UnHappyDude
Fire Dorion
- Jan 11, 2011
- 2,128
- 175
I was at that game 5 when they won 1-0. It was a great way to relax and spend the afternoon with some friends. Admission is cheap but beer is 5.50 
........ Oh yeah and the game was exciting too.
........ Oh yeah and the game was exciting too.
BonkTastic
ಠ_ಠ
Man, I would buy a partial season ticket package every year if we had a double-A team here in Ottawa. I've always thought if we had one of the Blue Jays affiliates here in town, people would embrace baseball in Ottawa again.
I would love to be able to watch the only Canadian MLB team draft players, and get to see them here in Ottawa before moving on to the big leagues. It's pretty common for superstar-caliber players to spend quite a bit of time in AA during their development years, so the quality of baseball would be quite good. When I lived in Vancouver, they had the Oakland A's single-A affiliate there, and it was a great time.
As is, I just can't bring myself to pay any kind of money to go see Independent-League baseball, playing in a league that has local tryouts. Waste of time, IMO. And I'm saying this as a guy who LOVES baseball.
Been out to a few games this year - definitely don't think it's a waste of time. Quality baseball, good atmosphere and they're in the middle of the playoffs. If you've been out to any games, I don't see why you would think that the IBL isn't working in Ottawa.
SENSfreak_03
Registered User
IBL in Ottawa is working, 2-3K is a very good number for the league.
I went to a game when I was on vacation, it was actually pretty decent ball.
I went to a game when I was on vacation, it was actually pretty decent ball.
Same. It would have to be a Jays affiliate, though, or else I wouldn't get there quite as often.
Sens Mile
Registered User
- Sep 1, 2008
- 4,185
- 44
I would absolutley love to see a Single A franchise assosiated with the Blue Jays. Would strengthen the Canadian baseball community even more around the Jays and frankly, Single A baseball is a high level of ball where you see quite a few blue chip prospects with MLB potential. Also with only a three month schedule it will keep Ottawa citizens intrested, bring a decent size tourist attraction for those 100 miles outside of Ottawa, the closest team to Ottawa is Washington AAA affiliate Syracuse. Also will give multiple cash injections annually into Ottawa with new jobs and new Ottawa residents for three months( the players).
Any news on what Ottawa council has decided with the arena? I have trouble finding information since the article from the Citizen listed above was written in April. I really hope they don't take down the stadium/ extend the stadium contract until we get a single A ball team
Any news on what Ottawa council has decided with the arena? I have trouble finding information since the article from the Citizen listed above was written in April. I really hope they don't take down the stadium/ extend the stadium contract until we get a single A ball team
The fat cats are doing real well attendance wise plus local leagues do use the stadium as well as the geegees starting thsi fall for there baseball team.As for turning it into something useful that likem would mean another centrum type shopping centre or offices and condos.
Canadian91
Registered User
Actually, baseball is working in Ottawa right now. The Fat Cats are drawing better than the Lynx did in their last few years. To say that baseball isn't working here is just an ignorant comment.
Canadian91
Registered User
Anybody heading out to the games this weekend? I'll be there Saturday for sure.
If it turns out to be a nice day on Sunday, I wouldn't be surprised to see 4,000+ show up.
If it turns out to be a nice day on Sunday, I wouldn't be surprised to see 4,000+ show up.
langcam
Registered User
Is anyone a regular enough visitor the stadium to answer this for me...
I went to a game in the first round of the playoffs. Tickets are of course general admin. There was an open seat right behind the Fat Cats dugout on the aisle, so there I went. On the seat was a company name, I figured it for just some sort of advertising.
But as a few more people came down into the section, I overheard them say they weren't going to seat in certain seats because they're "reserved." Does anyone know if these seats with company names on them are actually reserved? No one asked me to move or anything for the game I was there. Just wondering.
Looks like the weather is going to be hit or miss this weekend for rain. Hope to make Saturday night game.
I went to a game in the first round of the playoffs. Tickets are of course general admin. There was an open seat right behind the Fat Cats dugout on the aisle, so there I went. On the seat was a company name, I figured it for just some sort of advertising.
But as a few more people came down into the section, I overheard them say they weren't going to seat in certain seats because they're "reserved." Does anyone know if these seats with company names on them are actually reserved? No one asked me to move or anything for the game I was there. Just wondering.
Looks like the weather is going to be hit or miss this weekend for rain. Hope to make Saturday night game.
Canadian91
Registered User
Yeah, those are reserved seats... it's general admission, though. The people who have those seats reserved usually sit somewhere else (I've sat in reserved seats before, and I was undisturbed).
