The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Brian Costa writes one of the "most noticeable additions to the U.S. Open this year is the elevated seating overlooking the practice courts and courts 4, 5 and 6." But the "best-kept secret of the tournament may be the long corridor beneath the new seats." The corridor "offers the rarest commodity of the day: a spot in the shade." From the "edge of the covered walkway, fans can watch practices through a mesh screen within several feet of the nearest player." The mesh "is slightly tinted, but is transparent enough that some fans have been taking photos and video of top players through the screen" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/27).
SPRING FEVER: In West Palm Beach, Joe Capozzi noted the Astros and Nationals next month "are scheduled to make their first formal pitch" for at least $3M a year in hotel tax money to help pay for a new Spring Training ballpark in the city. Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council Exec Dir Glenn Jergensen said that the teams "will meet with the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Board on Sept. 11 to discuss financing options for their proposed" $140M facility. County officials have suggested allocating $2.6-$3M a year for 20 years to "pay off bonds that would help finance the construction of the facility." But the teams are "said to be seeking more" than $3M a year, a "potential sticking point" (PALM BEACH POST, 8/26).
