The SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE editorial board writes under the header, "Faulconer, Spanos Must Move Faster On Chargers Stadium." The editorial: "Where's the leadership on the Chargers stadium issue? It's all but disappeared." San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer "is being rightly criticized for saying little about the Chargers plan." Chargers Chair Dean Spanos said that he "will be the front man for 'a full-scale campaign,' but that won’t start until April 23." Instead of conversation, "we have confusion" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/14).
FUTURE DAYS: In St. Louis, David Hunn notes the St. Louis Regional Convention & Sports Complex Authority yesterday voted to "create a subcommittee on the future use of the stadium" formerly known as Edward Jones Dome. Board Chair Jim Shrewsbury said, "The dome is still a viable entity in this region. It needs some improvement, because it’s 20 years old.” He added that it also "needs a new take on marketing." Shrewsbury "imagines the Dome could better target trade shows, for instance" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/14).
ETERNAL FLAMES: In Calgary, Trevor Howell notes the city and operators of Scotiabank Saddledome are "quietly considering 'multiple scenarios' for the landmark building -- including a date with the wrecking ball." An RFP released this week "shows the Saddledome Foundation and city hall are seeking a consulting team to deliver a report by October that lays out potential future uses of the Saddledome facility if the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. pursue their strategy to build a new arena." CS&E last August "unveiled its ambitious, but short on key details, plan to build" a new C$890M NHL arena and CFL stadium "using a mix of private and public dollars" (CALGARY SUN, 4/14).
EXIT STRATEGY: In California, JP Hoornstra notes the velocity of a pitch "can still be found on the main video board at Dodger Stadium, but it’s been joined by a graphic showing something called 'speed off bat' -- a novice translation of exit velocity for each ball in play." Dodger Stadium "is believed to be the first" NL park, and the "only MLB park outside of Cleveland’s Progressive Field, to integrate exit velocity data into its displays." Dodgers Exec VP & CMO Lon Rosen said that fans "have requested more advanced data on display in recent years" (INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN, 4/14).
