ESPN.com's Buster Olney noted the Cubs "added 500 new seats" at Wrigley Field, "fronted by a brick facing along the foul lines." The Cubs have "already discussed the possibility" of "padding that brick, given the likelihood that players will sprint toward those walls in pursuit of foul balls." Padding on the walls "could help reduce the risk for injuries" for cornerstone players like 3B Kris Bryant and 1B Anthony Rizzo as well as others (ESPN.com, 4/16).
SNOW & ICE: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman noted the Packers' snow-tubing hill and ice-skating pond in the heart of the Titletown District are "well underway and expected to open to the public by Thanksgiving." The park and plaza part of the district "will be 10 acres of sledding hill, ice skating pond, promenades, adult game area, playgrounds and NFL-sized football field." Phase One "focuses on six acres of the public space and includes each of those features" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 4/15).
GIVING BACK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Christy Cabrera Chirinos noted several former Univ. of Miami football players "opted to contribute" to the school's indoor practice facility project with UM still about $2M shy of its $34M fundraising goal. UM Senior Associate AD/Development Jesse Marks said that the school "received more than $110,000 from 20 former players Friday night." In all, UM football alums have donated more than $1.7M for the facility, with UM coach Mark Richt’s donation of $1M leading the way. Groundbreaking on the project is set for May 4 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/16).
