http://www.naturesguard.com
Finally! I was wondering if anyone else was just watching CTV newsnet. This is just about the best news we could have recieved in regards to the budget for the next few years.

This will bring a long awaited end to the confusion wrought by Interbrew buying Labatts all those years ago. Pretty hard to run a promotion for the team buy cutting ticket prices if you get nothing for concessions.
Watch closley now, if this deal goes through I am willing to bet they up the ante for Carlos and maybe some others. We are not the yankees all of a sudden but maybe we can now compete with...the Tigers or Mariners for the service of some of the larger free agents. So many stars won't even consider Toronto and Carlos wants to be here, or so he has said. Now that this deal is in place maybe it can happen.

$30 million seems like a steal to me. However I don't expect any changes to the team budget if this deal happens, at least not this year.

$30 million seems like a steal to me.

Yeah, I was expecting it to be low, but not that low.
Not sure how this will affect payroll for this season. I'd be happy just for new turf for 2005.

Not sure if there is any truth to this? however I had heard some people suggesting that the Montreal Field Turf is actually worse than Toronto's current turf? I really hope that Toronto doesn't jump into buying a new turf too quickly and gets stuck with something that may not be so good.

Deal is official. Jays buy the dome for $25M.

Are they assuming any debt on the place? That price seems awful low.

Rogers stock is down 1/2 on the announcement, but then again it's been trading around a yearly high.

This is great, great news for the ballclub.

Tyler, I'd be shocked if they weren't given the price.

Good news is that they have some first-hand experience on the different turfs, from playing away games. I imagine the players would at least be informally polled about what they thought of the turfs, since they'd be the best resource at the disposal of the Jays.

Wow... $25 million? What did it cost to build the place?

It's time to start lobbying the team for a Cheer Club Zone. ;)

This is just about the best news we could have recieved in regards to the budget for the next few years.

I wouldn't be so certain about that.

Assets are typically sold based on the amount of cash flow generated from those assets. Based on a sales price of $25-30 million it doesn't look like the stadium is generating much cash - if it was the seller wouldn't be looking to sell, or would sell at a much higher price. There's a reason why the value keeps dropping.

The sale allows the Jays more flexibility - instead of being a renter they're the owner. So now they can redo the kitchen and paint the bedroom without being worried about violating their lease.

From the press release.

The purchase price for the stadium will be approximately C$25 million, subject to closing adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in December 2004.

Any requirement for them to disclose if they've assumed a whack of debt?

What did it cost to build the place?

The stadium was state of the art when it opened, mostly at taxpayer expense, in 1989 with a final cost of more than $600 million (all figures Canadian). Rogers will buy it from U.S.-based Sportsco International LP (limited partners) for something approaching $30 million.

Sportsco bought the SkyDome for a figure variously reported at up to $110 million, but the amount was actually closer to $85 million. It sold off the stadium hotel for $34 million.

Assets are typically sold based on the amount of cash flow generated from those assets. Based on a sales price of $25-30 million it doesn't look like the stadium is generating much cash - if it was the seller wouldn't be looking to sell, or would sell at a much higher price. There's a reason why the value keeps dropping.

It may well be that the Jays have the ability to wring higher cash flows out of it than SportsCo did. I think that's probably part of the reason that this has taken so long to complete-SportsCo wanted to up the price to reflect that the asset was worth more to the Jays than it was to them, and the Jays wanted to pay less to reflect the fact that the asset wasn't worth as much to SportsCo.

SportsCo? SportCo? Ah, it doesn't matter anymore.

This is, obviously, great news for the Jays. The Dome (will it become Rogers Field?) can now be remodelled to make things better for both the players and the fans (better turf, maybe more real food, no more pictures of Roger Clemens in the access ramps, etc.).

Rogers should be able to get more advertising revenue from the Dome, and obviously will no longer have problems with an unadvantageous lease.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041129.wskydo29/BNStory/Sports
COMN for link

First, this is of course very good news for the franchise -- when you don't own your own ballpark, and you're at loggerheads with the people who do, you've got problems. Imagine operating a business out of your home, but somebody else owns your house and refuses to maintain the grounds or fix the leaky roof.

That said, I don't think this will have much effect on the Jays' major-league payroll or strategy this season. This is a long-term investment in the ballclub, gathering and consolidating the franchise's assets and getting the financial house in order. It should allow the Blue Jays to do a number of things, including:

1. Obviously, fix the turf. There will never be grass in Skydome, but the FieldTurf in Tampa is as good as the technology currently allows. Replacing the turf alone could add years of productivity to Vernon Wells' career and could make the Dome a slightly more attractive destination for free agents.

2. Replace the JumboTron. This may not be a priority for 2005, but that board needs to go sooner or later. In 1989, its size alone made it a wonder of the world; today, it just looks like a clunky old sedan compared to the sporty new models.

3. Improve the in-game atmosphere. This, on the other hand, must be a top priority. The SportsCo people were clueless in this regard (remember the dugout-top cheerleaders?); the Jays should put a good baseball person in charge of overhauling everything from the concessions to the between-inning promotions to getting rid of those childish cartoon sound effects on foul balls.

The Star article intimates that the Skydome purchase might make the Jays more attractive to a seller. On the contrary, I think it's a sign that Rogers takes the team seriously and is ponying up the dollars to support it (and that the anti-baseball faction in the Rogers executive suites have lost this round). The $30 million price tag is a steal; in fact, if I worked for the Star, I'd start an investigation of how a $600M stadium lost 95% of its value in 15 years, and figure out exactly who profited from that 1980s tax-funded boondoggle.

Finally, I think signing Delgado is the least likely outcome of this purchase; essentially, the $30M they just spent on the Dome is $30M they're not giving Carlos. As between the Dome and Delgado, though, I don't think there's any question the Jays made the wiser expenditure today.

$25 million? Better and better.

Any requirement for them to disclose if they've assumed a whack of debt?

Yes.

But they're buying an asset, not a Company, so I wouldn't think there's any assumption of debt in the transaction.

I'd have a hard time believing that Sportsco couldn't do better than $25 million CDN for SkyDome. There's gotta be an assumption of debt somewhere. If not, the Jays just got an absolute steal of a deal.

I think the first thing that will happen is the Dome will be re-named to something like 'Rogers Skydome'.

I think this should have been done a long time ago.

will it become Rogers Field?

Personally, I'm willing to pony up fifty bucks to have it named after myself. Let the bidding war begin!

I've got $100 bucks that says the name will be:

"DeMarco Park"

I'll put up $250 for "Batter's Box Concrete Box".

From the Star artcile, Sportsco also was required to pay the Jays $36M? over the next 4 years from Skybox rentals.(not sure about exact amount). Rogers basically had Sportsco by the short and curlies.

We'd end up calling the the DeParko, you know. I think the Namedforhankatorium has a nicer ring to it.

How much would it cost to register the new word "artcile".

Aaron, I suggest we combine our bids and call it:

"NamedforHank Field at DeMarco Park"

From the Star artcile, Sportsco also was required to pay the Jays $36M? over the next 4 years from Skybox rentals.(not sure about exact amount). Rogers basically had Sportsco by the short and curlies.

Now that explains a lot! This nice lady whose job it is to rent out SkyBoxes is constantly faxing and e-mailing me, despite my repeated explanations that I run a two-person business and don't have that kind of cash and don't have the kind of high-rolling clientele (or at least not enough of them at the same time) that I could impress with a SkyBox.

She got my number, fax (which was unlisted, by the way) and e-mail from the local Chamber of Commerce, who have apparently sold me to anyone and everyone.

The updates always made me kind of sad. "Only six SkyBoxes remaining!"

Seriously, I have no problem with Rogers Skydome; it makes perfect sense. But if they name it Rogers Field, I will renew my objection that no facility without natural grass has any business calling itself a field.

She got my number, fax (which was unlisted, by the way) and e-mail from the local Chamber of Commerce, who have apparently sold me to anyone and everyone.

At least you're not a CIBC customer.

DeMarco, maybe if we work Burley into it, too, we might have a shot at it.

They can call it the Oxy-Clean Fun Bubble and I'd be happy, so long as they had better concessions.

Green and the concrete convertible just don't go to together, I'm afraid, so no bids from me. The Concrete Batter's Box works for me!

Jordan has asked a very interesting question. A heavily taxpayer-funded state-of-the-art facility basically has depreciated to nothing in 15 years. What happened?

At least you're not a CIBC customer.

I thought they were just harassing me. I ended up cancelling my credit cards and investments I had with them because they were bugging me so much.

I bid $300 for the name "Rodney Dangerfield Memorial Stadium". Because it gets no respect, ya see.

We'd end up calling the the DeParko, you know. I think the Namedforhankatorium has a nicer ring to it.

Christopher Car Rental Centre would have been people flocking to the stadium in droves.

Hip kids would call it the CCRC.

"NamedforHank feild featuring Battersbox.ca at DeMarco Park"

It certainly has a nice ring to it.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

1)$500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2)
3)
4)

I don't know why I threw "been" in there.

If the Jays are serious about increasing their visibility in the marketplace, they'll rename it Maple Leaf Gardens.

...or they could name it after their glorious past and call it the George Bellodrome.

I'm going to throw my fifty bucks behind Jeff Geauvreau's campaign.

If the Jays are serious about increasing their visibility in the marketplace, they'll rename it Maple Leaf Gardens.

Unfortunately it would also increase the number of idiots that chant "Go Leafs Go" during a Jays game.

...or they could name it after their glorious past and call it the George Bellodrome.

or the Jesse Barfield...um...Field.

My personal choice would be:

'John Mayberry Fields Forever'

Couple of points re: the Skydome news and various comments.

1) Previous articles had mentioned Staples as the company who was going to buy the naming rights, and if I recall properly $25M was thrown around.

2) As for budgets, they now have an asset which will be capitalized (non-cash item) vs. an operating expense (cash item). So that by itself, would affect the operating budget, except that they will now lose the revenue from the luxury suites which was stipulated in the contract. However, Rogers will now sell the luxury suites themselves and retain that revenue - not sure if that will equal the contractual luxury suite revenue.

Plus, Rogers will retain revenue from advertising opps, concessions, parking, other renters, etc... .

Overall, I'm thinking they should come out ahead in terms of operating budget. Whether they choose to spend that on player salaries is another issue.

3) Debt service on $30M should be easily handled based on their recent purcahse of Microcell for $1.4B and buying out of AT&T for anotehr $1.4B.

4) They may have also assumed debt/liabilities since the purchase price was so low. They can absorb that for potential tax purposes.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1305
Wow, great news to start the week. For me this means that Rogers is serious about being in for the long haul. (How Perkins could try to spin this into Rogers wanting to sell the team is beyond me, does Torstar corporate grovelling have no bounds?)

Now they have to pay, renovate and hopefully fill the place. Hopefully Godfrey and the other Rogers executives who won this round, can convince the corporation that an additional 4-6 million outlay needed to retain Delgado is well worth the increased ancillary revenue.

If I'm not mistaken, (not sure about the new Washington franchise?), every MLB operation now controls their own respective stadium. To make money the key is to fill the place (comm for a look at the estimated revenues a team can expect), hopefully the corporation will provide the funds as well to improve the on-field product.

Hopefully Godfrey and the other Rogers executives who won this round, can convince the corporation that an additional 4-6 million outlay needed to retain Delgado is well worth the increased ancillary revenue.

While they're doing that, if someone could leak that memo here, it'd be appreciated. We're still witing on an explanation as to how that money will produce ancillary revenue.

or the Jesse Barfield...um...Field.

That's fantastic. I'm on the floor here, good show.

I think they should rename the bar in the 100 level Barfield's.

Tyler its quite simple really, the more butts you have in the park, the more they spend on beer, hot-dogs, spend time reading the signs, pay for sitting in a luxury box, and now you control all of that revenue and no longer have to share it with Sports-Co. It's been reported that under the previous lease for instance, the Jays recieved absolutely nothing for stadium signage. This is all predicated off course on the theory that having Delgado in the lineup makes you a better, more popular team, there-by increasing your over-all attendance.

If you examine the Pappas link, teams (in 2001 dollars)can increase revenue up to 61 million per year. That my friend ,is a lot of dinaro( and probable profit), and no you don't need a leaked memo to understand that.

I don't know about names, but I do know that NFH should get the K card concession

If you examine the Pappas link, teams (in 2001 dollars)can increase revenue up to 61 million per year. That my friend ,is a lot of dinaro( and probable profit), and no you don't need a leaked memo to understand that.

At the very least, you're unintentionally misrepresenting what Pappas said. Look at the sentence right after the chart: "Every team in the top half of the table either owns its park, plays in a stadium less than ten years old, or plays in New York." While the Jays now own their stadium, that's about all they have in common with such markets as LA, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and St. Louis.

I still say it all comes down to winning. If JP (although I get leerier and leerier of him) thinks that the most likely way to win on a 50mil budget involves signing Delgado, I hope he does it. I don't think it is the most likely route to winning, and I don't think owning the stadium changes that equation at all, unless Rogers decides to invest more that 50 million in the product on the field. We can argue about whether or not that would be a good idea-I think it will be at some point, but I don't think that point is now. In any event, the Pappas article doesn't really back up your case.

Just to make myself clear, your argument depends on people showing up at the stadium. I don't think Delgado pushes the needle either way to much on that, absent a winner.

How about "Brumfield Of Dreams" or Jacob's "Brum" Field to create confusion for Indians fans. I'm trying too hard here :)

Seeing the headline this morning made me think of one thing:

With the Jays in charge of the entire stadium (and I'm assuming staff) can we finally see an end to the iron handed Skydome Security Reich? I’d be willing to trade in the ease of “self-seat-upgrades” if it meant the staff would actually . . . you know . . . let fans cheer! We wouldn’t be quite the laughing stock to visiting teams’ fans anymore (well. I can’t speak for the on field product). It would give the all mighty Cheer Club more room to work with. Maybe they'd even let us film a few episodes of Too Many Molinas! and play them on the 'tron.

Isn’t Mel Gibson like a billionaire now thanks to “The Passion”? Why can’t he just throw some money at it and then we’ll get to see games at the “Thunderdome” or "Beyond Thunderdome" . . . sweet.

Does this have any effect on the hotel, or will it still be run by the Marriott?

According to the articles today, Sportsco sold the hotel when they bought Skydome. I would assume that it will still be run by whoever owns the hotel (ie Marriott)

ESPN Reports it was sold for $21.24 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1934286

At this rate, tomorrow we'll find out they sold the Dome for a case of beer and some smokes.

ESPN number would be in US $. Can$25 mil = US$21.24

At this rate, tomorrow we'll find out they sold the Dome for a case of beer and some smokes.

Ted Rogers' personal lawyer was said to be heavily involved in the negotiations, seen here:

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_news.jsp?ymd=20041129&content_id=916726&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp
COMN for Spencer Fordin's report on the sale of the Dome.

Tyler, I'm not mis-representing anything, you seem to have a very short memory. Toronto in 1989 set a MLB record for attendance(since broken)with some 4,000,000 million fans. Toronto is not a small market team. History has proven that a winning team will fill the place. While I don't think we'll ever see a return to the glory days,I think a reasonable person could expect some improvement on current attendance numbers.

I'd argue that this team has a chance to be pretty good through years 2006-2009, and that Delgado as part of the mix, would be a key contributor to a winning team ,which drives up attendance enough to pay incrementally for a large part of his salary.

Another arguement I'd make is that with the NHL lock-out probably not being settled this season, the Jays have a unique window of opportunity come April/ May 2005 to garner the interest of the average Canadian sports fan who would be otherwise occupied with the hockey playoffs.The Jays could benefit attendance wise by having a good start to the season, having Delgado in the fold in my opinion will enhance the teams early fortunes.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tor/news/tor_news.jsp?ymd=20041129&content_id=916686&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp
COMN for Spencer Fordin's report on the sale of the Dome.

And better yet, it's mailbag time! COMN.

I thought we traded Terry Adams! Why did he start working for Rogers?

Ted Rogers' personal lawyer was said to be heavily involved in the negotiations, seen here

Industry sources say that the current plan is to convert SkyDome to the world's largest hydroponic farm.

Strong job by Dr. Prisonfence on the Mailbag. Good questions, guys.

Wildrose, I agree with your points.

Tyler,

Just to make myself clear, your argument depends on people showing up at the stadium. I don't think Delgado pushes the needle either way to much on that, absent a winner.

Well, I personally think that resigning Delgado is an important step to winning sooner than later. However, I fear that the Jays won't be able to keep him, and that their 2005 performance will be about the same as 2004. If that happens, I guess we'll see what effect Carlos had on attendance. I have a strong suspicion that a team with similar performance to last year's team, sans Delgado, will not do nearly as well attendance-wise.

COMN for Spencer Fordin's report on the sale of the Dome.

And better yet, it's mailbag time! COMN.

Why do i get so excited about reading this? I definatly need to get out more.

Delgado's ages through 2006-2009: 34-37. He has a history of knee problems. Why pay a guy through one year where you admit we're likely not going to be competitive? Why not snag the missing piece when we need the missing piece. The team will get hosed on Delgado's salary next year. If one player is the difference between winning and losing, it makes more sense to add him when he can make that difference, not before. Your own argument suggests though that the difference will come largely from the winning, and not who that player is.

As for your misrepresentation-you used the figure 61 million. Since Toronto already had 14 million in that chart, that effectively reduces the revenue available to 47 million. Since Toronto has nothing in common with the other markets where they own their own park, it probably drops it lower. Since we've conceded that winning and not Delgado is the answer to bumping up that revenue, the question then becomes "Is Delgado the best option to increase chances of winning, and thus increase chances of driving up revenue?" I've suggested the answer is no. If you want to make the case the answer is yes, you're welcome too, but I think that the facts are against you: $53MM budget, bad knee, 33 years old, other contracts escalating (Halladay, Wells, Hinske).

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

This unofficial till the cabal ( their is no cabal ) gives the go ahaed.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now. Jobu I am looking for you.

1)$500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2)$ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3)
4)
5)
6)

I have a strong suspicion that a team with similar performance to last year's team, sans Delgado, will not do nearly as well attendance-wise.

I have a strong suspicion that a team coming off a 67-94 season won't sell nearly as many tickets as a team coming off an 86-76 season. That's whether they have Delgado playing first base, or the Pope playing first base.

make that " gives the go ahead " in the second sentence.

I'll donate some cash. The second I meet with the cabal. I know somethings up. I'm on to you guys.

Hehehe, How much can I put you up for Caino for our good cause.

All that i hope it means is that we WON'T see anybody selling YANKEE FLAGS OR BOSTON FLAGS.

I hope they will lift the ban on selling plastic horns. Apparantly someone last year complained because they make too much noise, so they banned selling them.

I also hope they let people bring flagpoles into the Dome, so I dont have to sneak mine in. They sell flags in the Bullpen Store. What do they expect people to do with them. For Argo games, they can bring in any sized pole. I even saw a rowing oar once.

Tyler I'm afraid we'll have to just disagree.

I feel that improving the on-field product, be it either Delgado or other options, given Toronto's proven large market potential, would improve attendance enough to off-set increased player expenditure.

The arguement when to make that expenditure or on whom ,is fair enough,I'm just glad Rogers will now have access to all potential team revenue.

I have a strong suspicion that a team coming off a 67-94 season won't sell nearly as many tickets as a team coming off an 86-76 season. That's whether they have Delgado playing first base, or the Pope playing first base.

I hadn't considered that, good point.

The FAN will be carrying the Skydome purchase news conference any time now.

Previous articles had mentioned Staples as the company who was going to buy the naming rights, and if I recall properly $25M was thrown around.

ESPN Reports it was sold for $21.24 million.

I'm no economics major, but am I right in assuming that if they sell the naming right to Staples for $25 million, and they only paid $21.24 million for the joint, that for all intents and purposes Rogers actually MADE money on the deal???

Grand Funk out.

Grand Funk, I applaud you.
Not for your economic theories, but for the correct use of "intents and purposes".
I see the dreaded "intensive purposes" far too often.

That's whether they have Delgado playing first base, or the Pope playing first base.

If Donn Pall is coming out of retirement to play first for the Jays, I want a refund on my FlexPack.

Godfrey said that the deal will be revenue neutral in 2005 and will provide positive cash flow from then on. They will have new turf for 2005 and hopefully a new scoreboard. Godfrey recalled that the city put up $30M when he was Metro Chairman to help have the Dome built and now they own the Dome for $25M of today's dollars basically because of Sportsco's cash flow problems. The FAN then cut-off the feed so they could get reaction from callers (which usually results in me turning the radio off).

Anything about taking on debt? For 25 million, you'd think that the Argos might have bought the place...

Sorry. Godfrey did mention that they were taking on no debt.

Wow. That's absolutely stunning. This is a spectacular deal for the Jays then, IMO.

All I know is that 69 Mets were able to pull off a Miracle with Ed Kranepool at first base. Who will be our Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Cleon Jones?

Godfrey recalled that the city put up $30M when he was Metro Chairman to help have the Dome built and now they own the Dome for $25M of today's dollars basically because of Sportsco's cash flow problems.

That sounds reasonable. It seems like Sportsco basically needed to sell the Dome, and buying it really wouldn't make much sense for anyone other than the Jays themselves.

Also, the naming rights are still available.

That's whether they have Delgado playing first base, or the Pope playing first base.

They already have a John Paul running the team.

Industry sources say that the current plan is to convert SkyDome to the world's largest hydroponic farm.

That's always good for a laugh when getting out of class. Well played.

Come on guys jump in now. Jobu I am looking for you.

The Jobu consortium is prepared to offer CAD$50.00 and *MM$20,000 to the naming campagin. I suppose it's too late to suggest naming it the F*&%$! Trailer Park Dome? Just think Blue and Chicken Fingers on every concourse level.....

* = Monopoly Money

Delgado's ages through 2006-2009: 34-37. He has a history of knee problems.

The strange thing about his history of knee problems is that it has never kept him out of the lineup. Never.

There are many very good reasons to be concerned about Delgado going forward, but his history of knee problems ranks pretty low on the list.

Ha! Contribute to your campaign? Never!

I'm going to put together a consortium to bid against you.

The Jobu consortium is prepared to offer CAD$50.00 and *MM$20,000 to the non-naming campagin.

http://www.torontobaseballguys.com
Hey Jobu, where can I reach you by email? (Large novelty cheque to send you)

#264170 Posted 11/29/2004 02:34 PM by Jeff Geauvreau:

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

This unofficial till the cabal ( their is no cabal ) gives the go ahaed.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now.

1)$500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2)$ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3)$ 50.00 , Jobu
4)????.?? ,Craig B (Chairman of the consortium and are Lawyer )"if he accepts "
5)
6)
7)

Jim - TBG:

Give me a shout by email if you want to join in on the fun. COMN for my email address.

Doctor Jobu (the web's most amazing resource) can be reached at the above address. There's few things cooler than a novelty check....

Hillbilly Zombie out.

I made a spelling mistake "and our lawyer" on my 3rd last post up.

I am bad , send in the spelling police. lmao

I would love if the Jays rented the concessions to independent restaurants. Sushi, real beer, burritos. That would be awesome. If any of the Jays people read this, think about it. I now bring food to the park because it's so bad. Help me spend my money Teddy!

I'm not nearly as well known as the other contributers, but this is something not to be missed...so I'm in for $60 CAD.

Of course, if our bid wins, I'll have to fly in to go to the season opener, the fist game at "Batter's Box Dome"... :)

You guys should make your bid via press release to all major media outlets in the area...do it in the middle of the week. She's a slow time for sports news right now.

Exiting times to be a jays fan. I cant imagine better news, other then Carlos coming back, clement being signed at 5.5 per or hinske traded for chaves with money coming our way.
On a side note, any idea what you call those gadgets that you throw a baseball at and it bounces back(like a 3 foot by 3 foot swaure of springy mesh). I would like to keep the old pitching arm limber this winter, and christmas is coming...

Visit National Sports Concord and I'll hook you up with one for around 100+ bucks.

I'm not exactly a regular poster here either, but go ahead and count me in for $50.00. :)

http://www.mathesond.mindsay.com
I'm in for 20 CAD - more if I hit it big on Point Spread this weekend.
I also volunteer my services as chef, beer taster, and wine steward.

Okay ... I'll be in for $25 ... maybe $50 if I actually do sell my Nortel shares, though last time I checked, the brokerage fees made that an unprofitable move.

#264170 Posted 11/29/2004 02:34 PM by Jeff Geauvreau:

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

This unofficial till the cabal ( their is no cabal ) gives the go ahead.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges ! Tyler good idea and now jump in with a pledge.

1)$500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2)$ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3)$ 50.00 , Jobu
4)$ 60.00 , Nolan
5)$ 50.00 , Nick
6)$ 20.00 , Mathesond
7) This could be you here !!
8)
9)

We are up to a total of $730.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with pledges.

I'll chip in with $50.

Also, we can print as much Monopoly money as we need thanks to this link. That should help to make up for any real cash shortfall we may encounter.

#264170 Posted 11/29/2004 02:34 PM by Jeff Geauvreau:

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

This unofficial till the cabal ( their is no cabal ) gives the go ahead.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges ! Tyler good idea and now jump in with a pledge.

These are pledges only at present , you don't have to sell the mother-in-law yet :-)

Disclaimer: Batter's Box does not encourage or promote selling your mother-in-law. Get her to help you raise money for your pledge. Note to self: That should keep Craig B and the lawyer group happy now.

1)$500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2)$ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3)$ 50.00 , Jobu
4)$ 60.00 , Nolan
5)$ 50.00 , Nick
6)$ 20.00 , Mathesond
7)$ 50.00 , Andrew S (if he sells Nortel shares , if not then $20 )
8)$ 50.00 , The Original Ryan
9)This could be you here !!
10)
11)
12)
We are up to a total of $830.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with pledges.

And if the naming rights succeed, we should each have a section named after us. I call the 500 section on the fair side of the LF foul pole.

We need some more Roster Members , lawyers , anybody named Mike , all loyal posters and readers.

All past , present and future Blue Jay Players and Management personel are welcome to pledge.

Carlosssssssss how about a big pledge from you :-) :-)

I'll donate 100 bucks if we can call the rightfield foul pole Forbesy's Pole. ;)

Count me in for $50.

I'm in for $50. I'll bump it up to $100 if Rogers gives me the Jumbotron for my living room once they upgrade.

I for one would like the Blue Jays to rename their broacast Gondola (is that just a hockey term?) or some other area of the facility after John Cerrutti, now that they have control over that kind of thing.

Oh, and the Jays aren't inheriting any debt in the purchase. Godfrey has already said that a new Jumbotron is in the works, and turf options are being looked at.

How can I miss out on an opportunity like this... I'm not working in TO so it wouldn't make sense to buy a StarPass... so count me in for the 162 dollars it would cost.

But I want a characature of myself in those big gold audience statues above the front of the dome.

http://www.naturesguard.com
$2000 but we have to call it the Purple Palace and the mascot can be a purple people eater!

Unfortunately, I'm just a poor law student who has no money for such a scheme, grand though it may. Everyone knows that practicing lawyers have tons of money though-I go to UofT, and they sponsor all sorts of stuff there. Keep badgering them Jeff. ;)

"Visit National Sports Concord and I'll hook you up with one for around 100+ bucks."

Waterloo National Sports: $99.99. Ask for Caino and I'll carry it out for you. Of course I may be busy in the mangers office, with my feet up on the desk lighting a cigar with a US$100 bill.

I'll donate $50 as well. And so will my buddy Annon.

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Tyler this history in the making come you can pony up at least $10 as a pledge!!!
Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges !

These are pledges only at present , you don't have to sell the mother-in-law yet :-)

Disclaimer: Batter's Box does not encourage or promote selling your mother-in-law. Get her to help you raise money for your pledge. Note to self: That should keep Craig B and the lawyer group happy now.

1) $500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2) $ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3) $ 50.00 , Jobu
4) $ 60.00 , Nolan
5) $ 50.00 , Nick
6) $ 20.00 , Mathesond
7) $ 50.00 , Andrew S (if he sells Nortel shares , if not then $20 )
8) $ 50.00 , The Original Ryan
9) $100.00 , Mike Forbes
10)$ 50.00 , Kevin
11)$100.00 , Christian
12)$162.00 , DGriebeling
13)$2000.00 , Mr Purple
14)$ 50.00 , Caino
15)$ 50.00 , Annon
16) This could be you !!
17)
18)

We are up to a grand total of $3,342.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with some pledges.

If we call it the Knapp amphitheatre, I will pledge $100.00.

I'm in for $50.00 and challenge all other female posters/lurkers to match or beat that amount.

Come on ladies!!!

Think of the improvements we could make if we had some input. We could pad all the seats with fun fur cushions, have hunky attendants massage our shoulders when the game gets tense, have a special seating section where you could get a manicure and pedicure while cheering on the boys in blue/black/grey/whatever. The possibilities are endless.

Open your purses and help turn the Skydome into a Pleasure Dome.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1101768608758&call_pageid=969907739730&col=970081600908
Geoff Baker had a good article today on the sale and its impact. COMN.

There's a terrific article on page A6 of today's National Post about stadiums. You should pick it up when you have a chance. :)

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Tyler this history in the making come you can pony up at least $10 as a pledge!!!
Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges !

These are pledges only at present , you don't have to sell the mother-in-law yet :-)

Disclaimer: Batter's Box does not encourage or promote selling your mother-in-law. Get her to help you raise money for your pledge. Note to self: That should keep Craig B and the lawyer group happy now.

1) $500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2) $ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3) $ 50.00 , Jobu
4) $ 60.00 , Nolan
5) $ 50.00 , Nick
6) $ 20.00 , Mathesond
7) $ 50.00 , Andrew S (if he sells Nortel shares , if not then $20 )
8) $ 50.00 , The Original Ryan
9) $100.00 , Mike Forbes
10)$ 50.00 , Kevin
11)$100.00 , Christian
12)$162.00 , DGriebeling
13)$2000.00 , Mr Purple
14)$ 50.00 , Caino
15)$ 50.00 , Annon
16)$100.00 , B Knapp
17)$ 50.OO , Tenobia with a challenge to other ladies.
18) This could be you
19)
20)
We are up to a grand total of $3,492.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with some pledges.

Put me down for $100.

Peter DeMarco emailed me and asked to be put in for $ 100.00 pledge.

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome. Looking for Moffat and Craig Burley.

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Tyler this history in the making come you can pony up at least $10 as a pledge!!!
Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges !

These are pledges only at present , you don't have to sell the mother-in-law yet :-)

Disclaimer: Batter's Box does not encourage or promote selling your mother-in-law. Get her to help you raise money for your pledge. Note to self: That should keep Craig B and the lawyer group happy now.

1) $500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2) $ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3) $ 50.00 , Jobu
4) $ 60.00 , Nolan
5) $ 50.00 , Nick
6) $ 20.00 , Mathesond
7) $ 50.00 , Andrew S (if he sells Nortel shares , if not then $20 )
8) $ 50.00 , The Original Ryan
9) $100.00 , Mike Forbes
10)$ 50.00 , Kevin
11)$100.00 , Christian
12)$162.00 , DGriebeling
13)$2000.00 , Mr Purple
14)$ 50.00 , Caino
15)$ 50.00 , Annon
16)$100.00 , B Knapp
17)$ 50.OO , Tenobia with a challenge to other ladies.
18)$100.00 , DeMarco
19)This could be you
20)
21)
We are up to a grand total of $3,592.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with some pledges.

The Batter's Box campaign to buy the naming rights for the dome.

Here we go guys , hold onto your hats !

The Batter's Box Dome. Looking for Moffat and Jordon

Okay everyone shake up those piggybanks and cash in your Nortel stocks. It is time we buy the Dome naming rights!

Tyler this history in the making come you can pony up at least $10 as a pledge!!!
Hey SF even you could pony up some greenbacks.

Come on guys jump in now and make history.
Let's see your pledges !

These are pledges only at present , you don't have to sell the mother-in-law yet :-)

Disclaimer: Batter's Box does not encourage or promote selling your mother-in-law. Get her to help you raise money for your pledge. Note to self: That should keep Craig B and the lawyer group happy now.

1) $500.00 , Jeff Geauvreau
2) $ 50.00 , Named for Hank
3) $ 50.00 , Jobu
4) $ 60.00 , Nolan
5) $ 50.00 , Nick
6) $ 20.00 , Mathesond
7) $ 50.00 , Andrew S (if he sells Nortel shares , if not then $20 )
8) $ 50.00 , The Original Ryan
9) $100.00 , Mike Forbes
10)$ 50.00 , Kevin
11)$100.00 , Christian
12)$162.00 , DGriebeling
13)$2000.00 , Mr Purple
14)$ 50.00 , Caino
15)$ 50.00 , Annon
16)$100.00 , B Knapp
17)$ 50.OO , Tenobia with a challenge to other ladies.
18)$100.00 , DeMarco
19)$250.00 , Craig B I overlooked his post yesterday , my fault.
20) This could be you
21)
We are up to a grand total of $3,842.00 and counting.I started this campaign at noon eastern time on Monday , we can go far guys ! You have to believe and have the faith. We can accomplish this campaign !

I am looking for some lawyers and roster members to pony up with some pledges.

From the Baker article:

The Jays hope the additional revenues, coupled with improved customer service and in-game promotions,

Improved customer service: yes please and thank you. I hate to say bad things about the security and ushering staff, because for the most part they are helpful and kind, and they very graciously allowed the O-Drum onto the premises, repeatedly, and put up with our ridiculousness (hanging the giant 17 over the railing where Phelpsy hit the monster fifth deck homer, adding Hentgen to the Level of Excellence, etc), things they really didn't have to do... But at times it was very, very frustrating. It always boiled down to one or two individuals who were taking things into their own hands and hadn't checked with the people above them (and who would refuse to, which was always infuriating). The communication lines were not always clear. Things that were okay with the Jays were not neccessarily okay with SkyDome, or were not conveyed as okay to the people directly in charge of the crowd.

With the Jays in an ownership position instead of as an occassional tenant, things should be clearer and easier for everyone, and that's great news.

I love the last line of the Star's article on the Dome.

Godfrey said the company is studying possible improvements to "diminish the concrete look of the stadium."

I guess that would take Craig's "Batter's Box Concrete Box" out of the running for the new Dome name.

I guess that would take Craig's "Batter's Box Concrete Box" out of the running for the new Dome name.

One can only hope!

I'm leading a rival consortium to Jeff G's, we're hoping to buy the naming rights and call it "Olympic Stadium". :)

Does anyone think they might change the dimensions of the field it self?

Would anyone be interested in a change to the dimensions of the field, or the height of the walls, or any other changes that would affect on-field play(other than the obvious turf)?

I was reading Scott Carson's column today and he brought up the possibility of on-field changes once the Argos move out.

I brought up the point about changing the height of the walls after Vernon's catch off A-Rod in yankee stadium. If we have some good, young, athletic talent out in the outfield (VW, Rios) why not let our fans enjoy watching them go get some potential home runs?

One thing that I was thinking was the possibility of having homeruns smash off the concrete and potentially hit one of the outfielders who was trying to bring a home run back. But I'm sure they would fix that problem before it started.

my modest proposal is to call Carlos to put some money and negotiating leverage and re name the park as " Carlos field" of all dreams...

You mean "The Delgadome," right?

Jeff, this being Batters Box and all, I'll add my two cents to the bid...

Jabonoso has it! The ultimate enticement for Delgado to re-sign: naming the stadium after him.

I'm all for this. They could even paint the exterior to look like his head!

There are, of course, a few more concessions that Rogers could make if he wants to sign Delgado:

1) The Delgadome
2) Do some creative sculpture editing: now Delgado's smiling face. appears in the bronze sculpture among the cheering fans.
3) In second year of contract (once Argos leave the Delgadome), move in right field fence, lower wall.
4) To combat presence of speedy Japanese playerin Seattle line-up, offer to trade for So Taguchi, bat him leadoff.

Other Rogers-based tie ins:

5) Free DVD and video game rentals for life.
6) Free personalised ring tone, any music he wants.
7) Free Eric Hinske "Rookie of the Year" bobblehead.
8) Paul Godfrey will only refer to Mr. Delgado as "King Carlos"
9) Red Carpet entry onto the field before every game.
10) Real gold crown (14K) available for all press conferences.
11) Oh yeah, three years, 8 million dollars per.

Rogers can make this happen, they just need to give a little.

9) Red Carpet entry onto the field before every game.

How about Red Carpet leading to the batter's box while majestic music plays for each and every at-bat?

That's even better. I tried to think of some sort of music tie-in into the deal, but I couldn't think of one.

Other possible add-ons:

12) Personal IPod, expensive exterior-sound-muffling headphones for use during "God Bless America" in cities such as New York, Baltimore, etc.

and, similarily

13) All instances of booing Carlos (in Toronto) shall be interrupted by Mr. Sub Hat Shuffle / Staples Delivery Car Race promotions.

6-4-3, you're a genius. I'd appoint you my chief of staff if I had a staff.

I'll accept that offer (which I assume is valid now, and in any future in which you have a staff), and also lay claim to the title of "Unrequited Advisor to the Toronto Blue Jays in the matter of Contracts".

I did go out of my way to read the Post article on stadiums today, some egg-head PHD economics candidate from Western who is advertised as a stadium expert( and would be marine bioligist?) is quoted extensively, he seemed to make sense.

The funny thing is, that egg-head is at the Business School, not the Econ Department. But other than that, I'm told he wasn't at all misquoted and was very happy with how the article turned out.

that egg-head is at the Business School, not the Econ Department.

- Atleast he has credibility then.

Stadium changes...

• Move CF wall out as deep as possible, thus allowing more highlight catches by Vernon Wells
  
• Move RF & LF walls in, creating short porches for more HR's and funnier bounces toward Vernon in CF
  
• Reduce fence height, again to see more circus catches
  
• Better turf to lengthen careers of outfielders
  
• Blue Jay HOF anywhere in stadium - first induct level of excellence then put in one ex-Jay per year. Perhaps have the media vote for a top 3 then have fans vote online for which one gets in, or vice versa.
  
• Special area for 'in memory of' for people who were involved with the Jays who have passed on
  

13) All instances of booing Carlos (in Toronto) shall be interrupted by Mr. Sub Hat Shuffle / Staples Delivery Car Race promotions.

I realize this is just a Delgado list you were making here, but I wouldn't mind seeing this implemented for every Jays player that gets booed. One time in the 500 level, these guys were booing Woody the whole game (vs. the A's), and he never did anything wrong. Why come to the game if you're just going to chirp at the home team? I didn't even do that when Terry Adams came out of the 'pen vs. Arizona and blew the game, and I hated Terry Adams.

However, something good did come out of that Oakland game -- I got to watch my dad stare in awe as Chad Bradford started his warm-ups. :)

I absolutley agree with that.

To add to that, I think the area around SkyDome should be a fan oriented experience by creating a nostalgic place. From gates 5-11, there is the the brewery which is good, but then theres a bus parking lot and more condos, and a field. Make a section of Bremner Blvd all walking space, and re-name it Joe Carter Street (or something more creative). Have banners and things hanging from streetlights and stuff. Build a little string of small, retro looking shops that sell merchandise, etc or somehting that will draw people there. This will increase the amount of people that walk around the Dome, and may have an impact on walk-up prices. Also it makes it nicer for the fans already going to the game. Then, enforce the laws on scalpers, because there isnt a single person at a jays game that hasn't been bombarded by them and they take money from the jays.

I don't know how difficult it would be to do this, because of land owners or w/e, but its just an idea

Why come to the game if you're just going to chirp at the home team?

The Jays have a hard enough time selling tickets without driving me away with this regulation.;)

Nice job on getting printed Moffatt. How did they get in touch with you? Or are you just known now as a stadium expert? It was funny because I did a double take as I was reading the article. Mike Moffatt, is that the same one? Anyways, congratulations!

Nice job on getting printed Moffatt. How did they get in touch with you? Or are you just known now as a stadium expert?

Through the About site. I get quite a few interviews (around one a month or so), but generally they're with trade publications and not with the mainstream media. The only other mainstream outlet I've had an interview with before is Bloomberg, and I'm not sure if they ever ended up using it. (I've never been good at searching with those funky Bloomberg terminals)

I'm not a "stadium expert" per se, but I'm comfortable enough with the academic literature to speak about it. There's a bit of a vaccuum when it comes to people talking about these issues; Zimbalist can't talk to everybody and Doug Pappas passed away earlier this year. About 80% of the interviews I do deal with foreign exchange issues. This topic was much more fun!

Funny enough, I've got another interview tomorrow on the same topic. This time it's with Leila Monteiro Lins of CBC Radio Canada International Canada's Portugese language show "Canada Direto". It will be fun to see what the voice of the guy translating me will sound like!

We need more pledges , lets keep it going Ladies and Gentlemen.