In Tampa, Rick Stroud reports the Buccaneers' indoor practice facility "still is under construction," but the team yesterday "held its walk-through indoors in an effort to just escape the heat for about a half hour or so." The team had "hoped the indoor facility would be completed sometime" in September, but it "doesn't appear to be the case." The facility has no air conditioning and some walls are "open and the turf field is not fully installed," though it does have a "roof to shield the sun" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 9/21).
GETTING HOT IN HERE: In S.F., Scott Ostler notes the 49ers are "now searching for solutions" after not addressing an issue with the temperature inside Levi's Stadium when they designed the facility. Ostler: "Did the 49ers and their stadium-builder, HTNB, conduct computer-climate studies?" HTNB VP/Sports Architecture Lanson Nichols said, "One of the things that was primarily important to the fans, as well as the team, was that this be an open-air stadium: natural grass field, the essence of football being played outdoors. It was never really a mandate to do a roof. You don't normally do those kinds of (computer) comfort studies." He added, "It wasn't really a question that was asked -- 'Is this going to be uncomfortable?' -- because that's kind of a normal condition in an open-air stadium" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/21).
PINBALL WIZARDS: In Columbus, JD Malone reported locally-based bar/arcade Pins Mechanical is "taking over the tower's three suites" at the Party Tower at Nationwide Arena. The suites as part of a multiyear deal will be "outfitted with Pins' wood-and-steel industrial look, along with arcade and pinball machines." The suites are "available for groups to rent" (DISPATCH.com, 9/19).
