In St. Louis, Daniel Neman noted Busch Stadium this season will see a "smattering of changes," including a renovated Budweiser Terrace meant to be a "social place open to all ticketholders." Cardinals VP/Facility Planning & Engineering Joe Abernathy said that the team will remove 1,000 of the "worst seats" in the ballpark and replace them with benches, a terrace, a cabana and open-flame grills serving sausages, chicken legs and shrimp. From opening to the first pitch, the Terrace bar will also sell draft beers "for just $5," compared to the usual $9.50. One new concession stand called the 1764 Craft Pub will "focus entirely on craft beers" (STLTODAY.com, 3/29).
HERE COMES THE SUN: In Atlanta, Tim Tucker notes SunTrust Park will have some "noticeable changes" in its second year of use. Sixteen tables, each with four swivel chairs, "replaced the top six rows of seats in sections 122 and 130, which are along the first-base and third-base lines, respectively." This was done after the 80 four-person tables on the terrace level "sold out quickly last year." The Delta Sky360 Club, which is "open to fans in about 1,800 lower-level premium seats ... including those at the new tables," has been expanded by about 2,000 square feet. The dining and kitchen areas gained some space "by eliminating a media interview room." Fans complained last season that the club was "too crowded" (MYAJC.com, 3/23).
GOOD BOYS: MLB is requiring each club to use three detection dogs for every home game this season, to track explosive materials in and around the ballpark. The league is not requiring that teams use a particular vendor, as long as the dogs have the certification recommended in the Department of Justice’s scent protocol. The Cardinals, Tigers, Braves, Rangers, and Cubs already employ dogs provided by Alabama-based Vapor Wake (David Broughton, Research Director).
SAFETY INSPECTION: In San Diego, Kirk Kenney notes Petco Park extended safety netting this season, and it has "changed the experience for fans sitting on the field level." The Padres extended the 24-foot-high netting "three sections past the dugouts" before it tapers down near where the ballgirls sit along the foul lines. The net has a green tint to "minimize the obstruction for fans." This was met with mixed reaction, though several people said that they would "reserve judgement." Kenney: "Virtually everyone understood safety taking precedence over all else" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/30).
