Cavs talk and trying out the cable-less life: While We’re Waiting…
April 7, 2015CSU’s Trey Lewis headed to Louisville
April 7, 2015With the Cleveland Indians’ home opener set to tip off this Friday afternoon, the team let a select few individuals inside “The Corner”, the brand new, two-story bar located in right field, for a bit of a sneak peek. Nearly 11,000 square feet of brick, wood and glass, “The Corner” represents the team’s ongoing efforts to cater to the way individuals take in sporting events in the year 2015 where the social elements become increasingly more important. Consistently looking to provide additional value, team president Mark Shapiro unveiled the new addition along with the new field-level bullpens, the expanded Kids Clubhouse and various other items new to Progressive Field for 2015.
Here are some of the takeaways:
• The bar itself is beautiful. Full of reclaimed wood, brick pillars and other items obtained (and purchased) locally, “The Corner” is undoubtedly going to be a hit this season. With the new District Ticket costing just $13 and including a drink, this new expanse will be well attended throughout the season. When the glass is closed, the bar has a capacity of 350 on each floor, so fans will want to get there early. When the glass doors are open, however, the entire standing-room section becomes available. The views at both levels are quality and more than a dozen televisions on each floor provide views for those inside looking to refill or just socialize. This was a job well done.
• There are two wooden cases that have glass fronts which are located inside the lower level of “The Corner.” These will house Corey Kluber’s Cy Young award and Michael Brantley’s Silver Slugger award.
• The lower level has several drink rails, similar to those that surrounded the old Batters Eye. Upstairs, however, is where the couches, fire pit and various other amenities await, including a giant wall of self-serve craft beer selections. Yes: Self-serve beer. Swipe, tilt and enjoy.
• The highlight of the entire renovation may be the newly structured bullpens. Staggered on top of one another, both the home and visitor bullpen are at the same level as the fans. There are three “field level” rows of seats in front of the lower (home) bullpen, effectively placing fans immediately next to the Tribe relievers. This undoubtedly puts fans closer to the action, drawing even more interest to the right field “District” area.
• The food options are the real deal. I couldn’t pass up having a taco from Barrio, but it wasn’t exactly an easy choice given Melt (Parmageddon!) and Sweet Moses being within a stone’s throw.
• The Social Suite is no more. Instead, the team is rolling out what they call #TribeLive. Tribe Live guests will receive a ticket, their first drink and have their tweets and image uploads exclusively broadcast from the team’s official Twitter account (closing in on 300,000 followers). There will also be an exclusive space with a drink rail set aside for these users, encouraging even more engagement with “The Corner” as opposed to being sequestered inside of a suite. Social Media influencers are encouraged to apply on the team’s website.
• The way fans take in games today is vastly different than the way it was done as recent as a decade ago. Progressive Field opened up 21 years ago and times—they change. The team’s goal was to honor the tradition of the stadium, but make improvements that reflect the way fans engage with one another during games. Good news is, for those who prefer to stay in their seats and keep score—they can still do that. The new generation of fans, the ones who utilize Social Media and amenities like “The Corner,” has a place of their own as well. The team already has one of the lowest average ticket costs in the league, and food and drink specials galore. They’ve topped it off with a fixture that should appeal to all fans throughout the game. Just note that once you visit, you may not want to sit back down.
19 Comments
Why would you tip a self-serve beer machine?
Are the disgusting white lego/shipping containers going to be modified at all?
If you look in the picture it says to tilt your glass. I think that was what he meant… I doubt anyone is leaving a tip for the machine.
Yeah, apologies—I meant tip the glass. I’ll amend.
The middle tier is being painted green. It actually doesn’t look bad. It doesn’t look a thing like the rendering, but it doesn’t look bad.
Ahh, I thought maybe it was for the Skynet bartender.
Can always swipe again before you leave and pay for the cute girl behind you. New age ballpark pimpin.
I had a look at it yesterday too; it all looks great and is overall well done. The sightlines from the whole right field area are fantastic. I weep for the opposing pitchers warming up in the bullpens — they are really RIGHT there next to the fans.
A two-story bar has long been needed in one of these professional sports stadiums. That First Energy one needs a three-story one!
The new bullpens and sight lines are more important for me then a two story bar.
That $13 ticket, isn’t. It is $17
The only way to buy it is on line. Which comes with a $4 “convenience” fee.
They really need to stop following the airline pricing model if they want fans to show up for their product. They are NOT “the cheapest in the major leagues” with this garbage. They are the cheapest for the price they say the ticket is, except you cant buy a ticket for that price.
When the Social Media Suite was introduced, I was thinking they’d have someone doing some sort of online ‘broadcast’ that tracked with each home game. Putting out commentary, Saber stuff, etc. Not a straight play-by-play. I still really think having one or 2 of you guys (or a rotating team) would be really entertaining. Maybe as a supplement to Hammy, et al. Like an online/saber ‘color guy’ role.
Hmm… Sunday afternoon, Kluber pitching in his first home start, against the Tigers… [starts emailing friends to see who wants to join]
because it’s almost empty and you are trying to get out the last drop
Sadly, we will only play the Dodgers if we both make the World Series. Happily, that is actually a possibility and would make for quite an interesting experience for Chris Perez (assuming he is still on their roster at that time).
Colorado Springs.
I’m not sure who you’re quoting there about the cheapest tickets, but yeah the convenience fees are a pain, and have been around for entertainment events everywhere for a long time now.
Yeah, I’m hoping this gets fixed quickly. I believe it was originally a two year renovation. Hopefully year two brings some better aesthetics.