Even three years into this project, it's worth asking whether some would rather everything stay the way they remember it than the Orioles be good again.
Same all Jon The Cheerleader! Stating that "The elite talent pipeline Mike Elias promised is in place and will start producing players who can make the Orioles good again in short order." is pure nonsense--Elias in 3 years prudced the worst MLB team--only one 100 games below .500 in 3 years.
Thanks for writing back. Have you seen today’s article in the Althetic about DR trainers and major league scouts? Love your perspective. Mentions 2012- 2016 timeframe which is when I remember the great oriole retreat.
Jon I had heard that one of thr reasons the Orioles left the Dominican Republic was because criminal elements on the island were involved in extorting teams, demanding a payment in order to “allow” young talent to go to an academy at 13 or 14. Can you comment on whteher that was fact or ficition and whether it is still the case now?
I don’t know anything specific on that but the rumblings that reached me were in addition to the monetary commitments required to participate in the Latin American market, it was the general setup the Orioles’ ownership found unappealing. Nothing criminal to speak of, though.
Great piece Jon. Change was required, and while I don’t love alterations to the perfect ballpark, I think you’re spot on that it’s in-line with the new direction Elias is headed. Let’s hope he’s right! Loving the new columns
I still miss the Hit It Here sign in left field, so I get it. But like you said, it will seem "normal" soon enough.
Honestly, the biggest issue from a fan perspective is that it may make the LF upper deck seats even less desirable since the view of even more of the field will be obstructed.
Hadn’t thought of that perspective. Those were the seats I used to buy for college nights years ago. That seems like a later problem now, though. For most weekday games, those seats weren’t for sale in 2021. I imagine until demand really kicks up, that will remain the case. Thanks for reading!
Wondering if they will ever get around to removing the awful seats under the lower deck towards the back. The ones that they had to install TVs near so you can watch the game. Terrible that those seats aren't as least sold as "obstructed view". I chuckle every time someone says there's not a bad seat in the house.
Mark my parents and I had those seats for years and loved them. The TV was a great amenity in that we got to see replays of pitch locations. The low ceiling really never was an issue and on day games it was cool and on rain delays it was dry. They were also a great price.
Patrick, I'm talking about the one's a six or so rows back. There is absolutely an obstructed view if any ball hit in the air. I'm guessing your parent's seats were just a row or two back under the overhang. The next time you go, walk out to section 65 or 67 or 69. Walk all the way to the back and sit down. Stadiums built after Camden Yards don't have those seats, they have an open concourse (I believe the Orioles had talked about doing this too at one point).
Same all Jon The Cheerleader! Stating that "The elite talent pipeline Mike Elias promised is in place and will start producing players who can make the Orioles good again in short order." is pure nonsense--Elias in 3 years prudced the worst MLB team--only one 100 games below .500 in 3 years.
Says a guy who clearly has no clue. Move on, whiner.
Thanks for writing back. Have you seen today’s article in the Althetic about DR trainers and major league scouts? Love your perspective. Mentions 2012- 2016 timeframe which is when I remember the great oriole retreat.
Jon I had heard that one of thr reasons the Orioles left the Dominican Republic was because criminal elements on the island were involved in extorting teams, demanding a payment in order to “allow” young talent to go to an academy at 13 or 14. Can you comment on whteher that was fact or ficition and whether it is still the case now?
I don’t know anything specific on that but the rumblings that reached me were in addition to the monetary commitments required to participate in the Latin American market, it was the general setup the Orioles’ ownership found unappealing. Nothing criminal to speak of, though.
Great piece Jon. Change was required, and while I don’t love alterations to the perfect ballpark, I think you’re spot on that it’s in-line with the new direction Elias is headed. Let’s hope he’s right! Loving the new columns
Much appreciated. I think it comes from a reasonable place, even if it will be awkward.
I still miss the Hit It Here sign in left field, so I get it. But like you said, it will seem "normal" soon enough.
Honestly, the biggest issue from a fan perspective is that it may make the LF upper deck seats even less desirable since the view of even more of the field will be obstructed.
Hadn’t thought of that perspective. Those were the seats I used to buy for college nights years ago. That seems like a later problem now, though. For most weekday games, those seats weren’t for sale in 2021. I imagine until demand really kicks up, that will remain the case. Thanks for reading!
I always think of out of towners or people who don't go much getting a bad taste in their mouth when they get to their seats.
Wondering if they will ever get around to removing the awful seats under the lower deck towards the back. The ones that they had to install TVs near so you can watch the game. Terrible that those seats aren't as least sold as "obstructed view". I chuckle every time someone says there's not a bad seat in the house.
Mark my parents and I had those seats for years and loved them. The TV was a great amenity in that we got to see replays of pitch locations. The low ceiling really never was an issue and on day games it was cool and on rain delays it was dry. They were also a great price.
Patrick, I'm talking about the one's a six or so rows back. There is absolutely an obstructed view if any ball hit in the air. I'm guessing your parent's seats were just a row or two back under the overhang. The next time you go, walk out to section 65 or 67 or 69. Walk all the way to the back and sit down. Stadiums built after Camden Yards don't have those seats, they have an open concourse (I believe the Orioles had talked about doing this too at one point).