In San Diego, Bill Center noted both Padres manager Bud Black and Exec VP & GM Josh Byrnes “support the idea of adjusting the dimensions at Petco Park.” Byrnes yesterday said, “I think the way Petco Park is configured now is too distorted against the hitters, bad for the fans and affects the psyche of our club." He added, "From the business side and the fan side, it is a no brainer.” In ’08, then President Sandy Alderson “favored shortening the distances to right field and right center,” but those plans “died when John Moores sold the Padres to Jeff Moorad’s group” early in ’09. Center noted coincidentally, one of the “first things Alderson did as the CEO of the Mets was initiate the shortening of the fences" at Citi Field. Byrnes said, “I’ve watched games at CitiField and I think the changes have enhanced the game and the fans’ experience” (UTSANDIEGO.com, 4/25).
EVERY PRECAUTION NECESSARY: In London, Jacquelin Magnay reported All England Lawn Tennis Club ground staff “have installed an electrified fence around the Centre Court to protect the grass surface in preparation for a gruelling summer tennis campaign which includes Wimbledon and the London 2012 tennis event.” AELTC Chair Philip Brook said that he was “confident the grass courts will be restored after the Wimbledon Championships in time for the Games.” The ground staff “have been running trials over the last two years, including completely replacing some grass on courts to ensure the worn lawns at the end of Wimbledon fortnight, can recover in time for the Olympics.” There are also plans to "reduce Wimbledon matches on some of the outside courts that will be later used for Olympic matches which will feature 172 players” (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 4/25).
RIGHT ON TIME: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reports the Lambeau Field expansion “is on schedule, with the new video scoreboards set to be in operation for the annual Green Bay Packers shareholders' meeting on July 24.” Members of the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District “toured the construction site Wednesday, including the new rooftop viewing area over the north end zone” (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 4/26).
