Cubs players "will have to make some adjustments thanks to construction delays that affect the bleachers, the outfield batting cages and other places inside and around" Wrigley Field, according to Paul Sullivan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said, "Have patience. I think the big message for us, that we've given our players, is there is something special starting opening day 2016 for them with the new clubhouse. They will have every imaginable luxury, convenience and resource starting in April 2016. But 2015 is largely going to be a 'hang with 'em' year." Sullivan noted the Cubs' opener this season moved from Monday to Sunday night "to accommodate ESPN." Furthermore, batting practice Sunday "has been moved up a half-hour so the marketing department could stage a Fall Out Boy concert before the game, changing some of the players' pre-game routines." Sullivan: "A brave new world is coming on opening day, and no one really knows what to expect" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/28).
STARTED FROM THE TOP: Skybox on Sheffield company officials Saturday said that the operator of the Wrigley rooftop club "accused of ripping off the Cubs, the city of Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois to the tune of at least $600,000 has been fired." Attorneys for Skybox said R. Marc Hamid, a minority stakeholder in the business, has been "relieved of all duties and responsibilities" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/29). Federal prosecutors on Friday "announced criminal fraud charges" against Hamid, claiming he hid more than $1.5M in revenue "to avoid paying about $600,000 owed to the Cubs as well as in state and local taxes." In Chicago, Jason Meisner noted the charges "add a peculiar dynamic to what already was a tense situation between the Cubs and rooftop owners" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/29).
