Baseball or Basketball - what would do better here?

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Your response is rich coming from quite possibly the most prolific offender of one who phrases his own opinions as fact.

No need to get defensive. My point, which you have conceded, is that we cannot rule out MLB's coming to Vancouver eventually.

This is especially true considering that Metro Vancouver is projected to grow at an exceptional rate, has a rich baseball heritage, possesses first-rate baseball development programs, and is the primary source of Canadian players in Major League Baseball.

In twenty-five or thirty years, Vancouver (with a homegrown star) could be a superb place for MLB.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

No need to get defensive. My point, which you have conceded, is that we cannot rule out MLB's coming to Vancouver eventually.

This is especially true considering that Metro Vancouver is projected to grow at an exceptional rate, has a rich baseball heritage, possesses first-rate baseball development programs, and is the primary source of Canadian players in Major League Baseball.

In twenty-five or thirty years, Vancouver (with a homegrown star) could be a superb place for MLB.

I wouldn't rule out entirely MLB coming to Van. I just would say that it wouldn't be plausible or realistic until we have a committed owner. Who knows? Maybe the current owners of the Single A Canadians will want an MLB franchise and be willing to put up the cash for a brand new ballpark for Van. Can't ever rule out anything from happening. But I seriously doubt if MLB were to come, in my lifetime. NBA probably. MLB, unfortunately, probably not.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

No need to get defensive. My point, which you have conceded, is that we cannot rule out MLB's coming to Vancouver eventually.

That is the cheeziest debate tactic you could use. We cannot rule out the world ending in 2012, no matter how much evidence you have. Pure cheese.

Maybe 30 years in the future, we could model a park after AT&T Park in San Francisco on the rail yards in Gastown. This would quite possibly be the most scenic ballpark in the league.

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

I would imagine that if an MLB team were to come to Vancouver, which it wont, it would be in Surrey. There isnt the room for a Baseball specific stadium anywhere in the CoV and locating somewhere near the highway in the burbs would probably put the team closer to the bulk of its fan base anyway. I could see it being somewhere down on the flats in by Scott Rd Station or something like that.

http://maps.google.ca/?ll=49.202289,...h&z=15&vpsrc=6

Exactly my comments and ideas posted before. It would be a HUGE revitalization of the area. Nice views of the Fraser River, a few bridges, mountains in the backgrounds. Good transit connections with skytrain, good road connections being a jump away from the new Highway 17 extension (SFPR), King George, and Scott Road.

And for those who complain it wouldn't be in Vancouver - it's really a 20 - 30 min skytrain ride to the stadium from downtown Vancouver.

[Zassk]

Grizzlies attendance never suffered really... though I think they suffered in other areas in later years (e.g. TV viewership, merchandise).

[6042905]

I really like that ballpark on the water idea so baseball gets my vote.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by Zassk

Grizzlies attendance never suffered really... though I think they suffered in other areas in later years (e.g. TV viewership, merchandise).

Well, it did "suffer" cause there was a decline in attendance. Granted, the Grizz still had pretty good attendance for a team that was in last place in the league. But it still declined from the initial games in the franchise's first year.

[artvandelay]

I think it's much more realistic that Vancouver would get a NBA in the near term, just because of the logistical issues involved. However, my vote goes to baseball because I think that there are more baseball fans than basketball fans in the Lower Mainland.

Awvan - that stadium mock up looks amazing. Would be in the perfect location as far as transit, views and stadium atmosphere go. Does anyone know the feasibility of building out over the water like that?

[LeftCoaster]

Well the old and new convention centre are built in the exact same way on the exact same soil conditions so its entirely possible, just expensive.

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Well the old and new convention centre are built in the exact same way on the exact same soil conditions so its entirely possible, just expensive.

Doesn't Kerfoot still own the air rights over that land?

[go_leafs_go02]

Apparently the Vancouver Canadians have already sold out tonight's game - meaning the 5th sell-out in a row for them.

Appetite for baseball certainly feels to have grown in the last few months out in Vancouver...

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

Apparently the Vancouver Canadians have already sold out tonight's game - meaning the 5th sell-out in a row for them.

Appetite for baseball certainly feels to have grown in the last few months out in Vancouver...

I wouldn't be surprised if one day, Vancouver gets a MLB franchise (whether through relocation, or expansion). But I think MLB wants to see how viable the market is here, and so far, it's not viable. Selling out Single A Baseball? Not impressive. But gotta admit, the demand is growing, and the people are taking in the sport. IF Vancouver can get up to Triple AAA, and still be selling out, the city may get the attention of MLB. Until that happens, I don't see MLB coming here, for a very long time.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by Vancity

I wouldn't be surprised if one day, Vancouver gets a MLB franchise (whether through relocation, or expansion). But I think MLB wants to see how viable the market is here, and so far, it's not viable. Selling out Single A Baseball? Not impressive. But gotta admit, the demand is growing, and the people are taking in the sport. IF Vancouver can get up to Triple AAA, and still be selling out, the city may get the attention of MLB. Until that happens, I don't see MLB coming here, for a very long time.

Here's an idea. Since Nat Bailey is not suitable for AAA baseball, we could build a new park on the waterfront with 20 000 capacity which would meet AAA standards, and have it expandable (40 000) and up-gradable to MLB standards if the opportunity were to arise for a franchise.

With the setting and the Gastown vibe, the waterfront stadium idea is just too good to give up on. If it can't be MLS then lets try baseball. With the good transit connections and the dense neighborhoods, I could see crowds of over 12 000 people showing up to this awesome setting for baseball on some nights.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by logan5

Here's an idea. Since Nat Bailey is not suitable for AAA baseball, we could build a new park on the waterfront with 20 000 capacity which would meet AAA standards, and have it expandable (40 000) and up-gradable to MLB standards if the opportunity were to arise for a franchise.

With the setting and the Gastown vibe, the waterfront stadium idea is just too good to give up on. If it can't be MLS then lets try baseball. With the good transit connections and the dense neighborhoods, I could see crowds of over 12 000 people showing up to this awesome setting for baseball on some nights.

well. I guess it's okay for us to dream. I like your idea, I just don't think the Canadian owners would build a multi-million dollar stadium on the waterfront that accomodates 20,000 fans. We're not even guaranteed to get a AAA baseball franchise. We have Single A ball! If Vancouver got a Triple AAA baseball franchise, then, maybe, MAYBE, we can begin dreaming about a MLB franchise. But losing a AAA baseball franchise says something about the market in this city. maybe it's not as "hot" as we all think it may be. While I would never say that your idea would never work, I think if it were to go ahead, it would be a long long time from today. But we can always dream

There's no doubt about it, a lot of people here believe that baseball is a growing sport. But the Canadians selling out 8 straight (I believe, correct me, if I'm wrong here) games says a little bit about the market, but there's still a long, long ways to go. One day, perhaps the city needs to keep it's MLB dreams alive, but at the moment, professional basketball (NBA) is a closer return than MLB, and that's saying something there, because we don't know when we'll get another shot at the NBA. If Vancouver can demonstrate that it can keep it's sports franchises relatively healthy, and there is a supportive market, then I can see Commissioners of other leagues eyeing Vancouver for a potential destination for their products (MLB, NBA, NLL, maybe even the NFL one day?).

We "lost" the NBA here once already, and that's not a good start (however the argument, people will have a perception on Vancouver about that, whether it's fair or not).

[Vancity]

Was just listening to Team1040 radio, while driving, and heard Tom Mayenecht (sp?), say that it could be a possibility for the owners of the Canadians, to possibly expand Nat Bailey Stadium to 10,000, which apparently, is standard for Triple AAA baseball. I think Vancouver can get AAA baseball again - that would put us in position for a possible MLB franchise down the road. The question is, how are they going to expand, and would the community be on board with that? If not, where else could they build a Triple AAA baseball ballpark in the city?

[go_leafs_go02]

Does Nat Bailey have ANY good transit connections?

Canada line runs within a km of the stadium, but still, you're looking at a fairly lengthy walk in some ways...

[go_leafs_go02]

The Province with an article from this past weekend speculating Triple A baseball coming to Vancouver (aka the highest level of baseball after the Major Leagues)

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Va...megadrop_story

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

The Province with an article from this past weekend speculating Triple A baseball coming to Vancouver (aka the highest level of baseball after the Major Leagues)

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Va...megadrop_story

An interesting article to read, for sure. I think Triple A ball is realistic, only IF, the current owners, Kerr and Mooney, would be willing to structurally upgrade the Nat. With that being said, I think if Vancouver did get a Triple A franchise, it would be the highest form of professional baseball this city would ever see, because to be frank, in the near future, it's most likely not going to happen. If Vancouver (and it's a big IF) could sustain large crowds, and even sell-outs at Triple A level, then maybe, just MAYBE, it could be time for MLB to look at this great city, and see if it's got potential to be a MLB city.

But Triple A baseball in this city? I think it's very possible, and realistic, too.

[logan5]

Vancouver could definitely support triple A, but it's much more of a professionally run business now than it was back in the day. Even with upgrades to the Nat, I still don't think it would cut it when you look at other parks in triple A baseball. And considering Vancouver would be the biggest market in triple A, its ballpark should reflect that.

A triple A team would generate more revenue than the BC Lions and probably the Whitecaps, so building a 50 to 80 million dollar park (maybe on the waterfront), doesn't seem so far fetched. To put in perspective, the triple A Sacramento River Cats (formally Vancouver's team) are worth around 20 million dollars, while the Lions are worth 7.5 million.

[Vancity]

Originally Posted by logan5

Vancouver could definitely support triple A, but it's much more of a professionally run business now than it was back in the day. Even with upgrades to the Nat, I still don't think it would cut it when you look at other parks in triple A baseball. And considering Vancouver would be the biggest market in triple A, its ballpark should reflect that.

A triple A team would generate more revenue than the BC Lions and probably the Whitecaps, so building a 50 to 80 million dollar park (maybe on the waterfront), doesn't seem so far fetched. To put in perspective, the triple A Sacramento River Cats (formally Vancouver's team) are worth around 20 million dollars, while the Lions are worth 7.5 million.

didn't realize that a triple A team here in vancouver would be worth more than the BC Lions. Wow. that's saying something about the CFL.

Vancouver is in a weird position. They would be the largest Triple A market, and yet, just under the Major Leagues. The city isn't MLB standard, but it's just shy of that. Strange that a major international city like Van., can't attract more major league franchises to this city.