Facility Notes

Mets Do Not Intend to Adjust Dimensions Or Wall Heights At Citi Field For '10 Season

In N.Y., Adam Rubin cites a source as saying that the Mets "don't intend to adjust the dimensions or wall heights at Citi Field for the 2010 season." The source indicated that Mets GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel "both recommended the ballpark retain its current configuration," and team Owners the Wilpons "plan to abide by that request." While Shea Stadium "measured 371 in right-center, Citi Field's angled wall in that area ranges from 378 to 415 feet." On average, there are "1.67 homers per game" at Citi Field, 11th out of the 16 NL ballparks," while there were 2.15 homers per game last year at Shea, "tied for sixth in the NL" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/3).

TWO-MINUTE DRILL: CAPITOL WEEKLY's Anthony York cited sources as saying that Majestic Realty's plan to build a new football stadium in Industry, California, was "among the issues being discussed behind the scenes during the last week" of the state legislative session. No bill language "has been drafted and there is no guarantee that a bill will ever reach the floor of either legislative house." Majestic is "seeking exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act" to build the stadium," and it is "unclear whether a proposed bill would be an actual effort to make an end-run around the City of Walnut's objections, or whether it was meant as a tool to force negotiators back to the table and lower the city's asking price." Majestic has hired "numerous high-powered lobbyists and Sacramento consultants to help with the last minute push" (CAPITOLWEEKLY.net, 9/2).

STRIKING OIL: Indianapolis city officials said that three recent music events at Lucas Oil Stadium, which helped attract an estimated $28M in direct visitor spending, offer proof that the "expense of the retractable roof and other features" of the stadium "are paying off." Indiana Convention & Visitors Association President & CEO Don Welsh: "The potential to offer an outdoor experience is huge in our ability to book events at that facility" (IBJ.com, 8/29).