Field/Court/Stadium layouts

[Dave Gray]

Baseball is known for their different stadium dimensions.  Now, arenas and football stadiums are not changing actual dimensions, but they are altering some characteristics, like color, sidelines, and interesting things inside the stadium itself, like Tampa's giant pirate ship.

I am in favor of this kind of stuff.  While I don't always like the result, when it works out, it really works out and makes the place have its own, unique feel.

Here is what's big lately:


This is Oregon's new basketball court, designed by Nike to look like you're laying on your back in the forest, looking up at the sunny sky through the trees.  I think it's kinda cool, but I'm not in LOVE with it.

Other examples:
The Ivy wall in Wrigley
Boise's Blue Field
I saw a college basketball game where the benches were sunk 2 steps, like a baseball dugout.

So, the question I pose:
What are some of your favorite and least favorite examples of this?  Pictures appreciated.

[Sunstroke]

That basketball court is USDA choice grooviness...

I also dig on the Boise St. football field, but can only watch about 10 minutes at a time without suffering permanent retina damage.

[StL FinFan]

I'll have to look for it, but a high school, I think in Texas, put in a red turf football field.

[Dave Gray]

I'll have to look for it, but a high school, I think in Texas, put in a red turf football field.

I saw that recently.  Was it not college?

[Brian Fein]

We've been working on visiting every MLB stadium in the US.  So far we've been to 7 of them.  I try to find one unique "feature item" at each stadium.  Sometimes, its difficult...

Wrigley - the ivy wall, duh
Camden Yards - the warehouse in right field
Tropicana field - the gigantic tropicana neon sign or perhaps the crooked roof?

I wish our stadium had something cool about it.  Sadly, I think that will soon be the lame flat hideous canvas roof...

[StL FinFan]

I saw that recently.  Was it not college?

Found it.  It is a high school.



http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Texas-school-unveils-nation-s-first-red-turf-hig?urn=highschool-306272

[Dave Gray]

I wish our stadium had something cool about it.  Sadly, I think that will soon be the lame flat hideous canvas roof...

I have faith in the team that's working on the stadium.  It's already considerably better than it used to be, and I've heard other things mentioned, like moving the seats closer to the field on the sidelines, which would be HUGE.  They just have to wait for the Marlins to be gone.

[CF DolFan]

Camden Yards - the warehouse in right field

My wife and kids took me to Camden 2 years ago for my birthday. I had the choice between there or the new Mets stadium. I know this is silly but it was so cool to me to be able to take the train right to the stadium and then back to my buddy's house. I am so used to fighting traffic to every sporting event I go to.

[Phishfan]

Found it.  It is a high school.

Actually both a high school & college have done it.



I hadn't realized the Oregon court had that design. I caught a glimpse on ESPN one day and wondered, what the hell was that supposed to be?"

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

That basketball court is USDA choice grooviness...

I was thinking more USFS.  I don't really think of food with that court. 

[SportsChick]

My wife and kids took me to Camden 2 years ago for my birthday. I had the choice between there or the new Mets stadium. I know this is silly but it was so cool to me to be able to take the train right to the stadium and then back to my buddy's house. I am so used to fighting traffic to every sporting event I go to.

Even better in that area is heading to a Nats game. you get off the Metro and you're a half block from the stadium. It's awesome

[Sunstroke]

I was thinking more USFS.  I don't really think of food with that court. 

"USFS Choice" just doesn't hold the cliche' value as "USDA Choice."

And who mentioned a food court?

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

That Oregon court is pretty cool I had not seen it until now.

[StL FinFan]

I have not found any articles to support this, but a friend told me that players were getting headaches from playing on that court.  If so, good strategy!

[Sunstroke]

I have not found any articles to support this, but a friend told me that players were getting headaches from playing on that court.  If so, good strategy!

I'd like to see a camera shot of that court from 6 feet off the floor, rather than 40-50 feet up in the stands, just to see what effect the graphics would have on the players' eyes...does it distract them? MDoes it mke it harder to frame up the rim for a jumpshot? Find a fast-breaking teammate out on the wing, etc...