The MLB Giants are looking to build a playground behind
the left-center field bleachers of Pac Bell Park, scheduled
to open for the 2000 season, according to Edward Epstein of
the S.F. CHRONICLE. The 17,000-square-foot playground,
which will be open to anyone with a ticket, will feature a
100-foot-long Coke bottle and "huge pieces of furniture."
Giants COO Larry Baer: "For us, it's a great piece in the
whole idea of fun at the ballpark." The team hopes to keep
the playground open year-round. Coca-Cola will fund the
playground for an undisclosed amount of money. The play
area will feature slides, climbing equipment, small grass
fields and a "huge, inflatable baseball glove." It "looks
increasingly likely that the fun will also include (MLB's)
first team of swimming dogs", which would retrieve HRs hit
into the bay in right-field (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/9).
MAYORAL APPROVAL? After "expressing some concern about
its appropriateness," S.F. Mayor Willie Brown "has warmed to
the idea" of the Coke bottle. Brown: "It's a piece of art,
outdoor sculpture. Outdoor art is important." Consistent
with the "original guidelines of no external advertising",
the "Warholesque Coca-Cola bottle" will not be visible from
outside the ballpark. Team execs will present the idea to
the Planning Commission on September 24 (S.F. EXAMINER, 9/9)
