RHMRBL

Just wondering ... Toronto gets the PanAM games, what happens at Richmond Green ?  If ye all remember a large sum of cash was spent on the plan for the Olympic bid and it included a 20k seat stadium built atop Diamond 4.  Of course that meant some destruction of other diamonds for parking etc.  Has anyone heard of and or enquired if this concept is reborn ?  Does Richmond Hill plan on getting in on the action of the games and putting the Green up as fodder ?  Odds are would be my guess but if so we better keep a look-out for new facilities.

Anyone have any input who we might ask ?

REFERENCE : Page 91 and PAGE 92 "Baseball * Rogers Centre and Richmond Green Sp orts Park " of the bid  www.toronto2015.org

We've contacted our rep at the town, and they don't have any news yet.  They have assured us they will let us know when they receive more information regarding the use of the facilities.  As it sits now, you could not accomodate anything at Diamond 4, with Diamond 1 sitting next to it, the article I read also describes construction in 1993 and same dimensions as rogers center.  Last time I checked Diamond 4 was nothing close to those dimensions.  Diamond 7 would be the ideal place as it has the most free surrounding space, and looks most like a baseball diamond. (if you were to leave it intact)  The executive will keep a close eye on this one.

Cheers,

Article: http://www.yorkregion.com/article/99260 - Richmond Green a home run for Pan Am baseball

Perhaps we should review the article ...

"Richmond Green Diamond #4 will serve as the main stage where teams not only battle for Pan Am supremacy, but the tournament's top two teams also automatically qualify for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games.

While any definitive schedule is still years away, event organizers said Richmond Green is expected to host preliminary round games, while playoffs and the gold medal matches are likely to be held at Rogers Centre.

Still, what makes Diamond #4 an ideal venue to compliment the Rogers Centre is not only the close proximity to Toronto, but also the park's dimensions.

Constructed in 1993, Diamond #4 has the exact dimensions of the Rogers Centre and the surrounding available land allows for the installment of temporary bleachers that can accommodate up to 10,000 spectators and ample parking around the diamonds and the surrounding recreation area.

Councillor Arnie Warner lead Richmond Hill's bid to land Richmond Green as an event venue and he said the town will be ready to play host to the old ball game, like never before.

"We know what steps need to be taken. It is a major task but one that I am confident can be met with great success," Mr. Warner said in a previous interview.

"It is not just about hosting games or building a temporary stadium. That is the sexy stuff. The real highlight will be the lasting effect this could have on our community," he added.

The site was also a proposed venue for the failed Toronto Summer Olympic bid for the 2008 games.

Representatives from Parks, Recreation and Culture plan to be in further contact with Pan Am organizers in the coming days to further explore how Richmond Hill can be involved further and possibly act as a training venue for other events."

Where will we park cars for 10,000 spectators ?  Do we imagine that the "temporary seats for 10,000 " will be set up over the weekend ? Hell they close for a week just to set up fireworks !

PS - review Harv's yearbook for diamond dimensions.

So let us estimate - time and cost ?? and subsequent user fee increase thereafter ?

1. The baseball diamonds in Richmond Hill ALL face 180 degrees in the wrong direction - all face SW not NE as per baseball rules.  Wonder if any Pan Am coach/manager will notice that ?? So any diamond used needs to have the infield relocated, the fences and lightpoles changed ( if we actually get lights that might not be a bad thing ! ) and basic reshaping of the entire field.  Maybe we could include drainage and irrigation. Anyone got an red clay ?

2. Lights - what lights ? Maybe all day games will work.

3. Dugouts - oh yes dugouts ! Send out an email to all participants - "BYOS - bring your own shovel !"

4. Scorekeepers area and scoreboard - what can't we just get Bucky's bikini babes on parade ? Maybe not family show and maybe the scoreboard would be less !

5, Vendors - can't buy a sausage but Abruzzo could run a shuttle ! Cold drinks - Stan can retire on these empties ! Maybe the soccer club can sell hats, flags and fingers !

6. Spectators seating - recall the Lawn Chair Angels to demonstrate !

7. Cameras and reporters - electric power maybe a Candu reactor can be connected to the Zamboni from the rink.

8. Washroom facilites - oh gee infrastructure - we never remember that one - hmmm 10,000 steamers - maybe Ikea from the Pope's fiasco learned some lessons ! Better call Downsview. Let's see where can we put 2,000 porta-potties ?

9. Bull pen - do you mean we have cows at baseball ? Refer back to lights !

10. Showers and dressings rooms - well we do have the splash pool and a creek in the west beyond seven. Buy a few of those "garage in a box" things from Canadian Tire.

Don't worry about the money, we'll recover that from amortizing the user fees over the next ten years and maybe we can retroactively call the Korean league for an reassessment audit. Damn can we auction off Linton's sign on seven ?

Did Arnie Warner ever play baseball ? Has he ever seen a pciture of Richmond Green ?

Bob

Just shut up already

Not just on this

on everything.

Rupert Jones?

interesting choice of user-name...lol

The name sounds familar, isn't he a former MLB player from the 80's or something?

I am sure the real Rupert jones wouldn't be this rude though. :(

JR