The Cubs yesterday began "evaluating new signs and a 6,000-square-foot video board" in the Wrigley Field outfield, "installing mock-ups to see if rooftop views of the ballpark would be impaired," according to Paul Sullivan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Team Chair Tom Ricketts "took in the view from a rooftop on Sheffield Avenue as the mocked-up sign in right field was put in position." Afterward he said the view was “what we expected” and the blockage to the rooftop clubs was "minimal." The Cubs "used cranes to hoist two large tarps where the video board would be on Waveland Avenue behind the Toyota sign and a large quadrangular sign that would be in the back of the right-field bleachers." The Wrigleyville Rooftops Association in a statement said that the group "appreciated the Cubs' 'willingness to demonstrate the impact of their sign plan.'" Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green said that there is "no plan to start construction and the exercise was 'part of the evaluation process' for the neighborhood and rooftop owners." Green: "This was not part of any requirement with the city. We’re trying to help minimize the impact on our rooftop neighbors." The mock-ups were "dismantled shortly after they were set up" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/29).
TIME FLIES: The TRIBUNE's Sullivan notes the Cubs are "hoping the City Council pushes up its vote on the proposal" by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Tom Tunney to "allow for up to 46 night games." This would "allow them to schedule" five 3:05pm CT Friday starts this year, with "additional night games starting in 2014." Hearings are "scheduled for next week." The City Council "approved up to 18 night games a year in 1988 and gradually increased the limit to its current 30, in place since 2004" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/29).
