Baker Field = Possible NY MLS stadium

[JohnMac]

With New York's Olympic bid still alive the plan to turn Baker Field at Columbia U. into an MLS suitable stadium remains alive.

See link then click on the venue locator for Field Hockey to see what they propose.

http://www.nyc2012.com/index.home.html#

[VioletCrown]

Originally posted by JohnMac
With New York's Olympic bid still alive the plan to turn Baker Field at Columbia U. into an MLS suitable stadium remains alive.

See link then click on the venue locator for Field Hockey to see what they propose.

http://www.nyc2012.com/index.home.html#

I don't know the details of this stadium proposal, but I do remember a number of years ago reading that field hockey folks really like astroturf. Things have changed quite a bit since then in the way of artificial surfaces, so I don't know what field hockey folks like now, nor how it would mesh with an ideal MLS stadium.

[JohnMac]

Originally posted by VioletCrown


I don't know the details of this stadium proposal, but I do remember a number of years ago reading that field hockey folks really like astroturf. Things have changed quite a bit since then in the way of artificial surfaces, so I don't know what field hockey folks like now, nor how it would mesh with an ideal MLS stadium.

If it ends up being FieldTurf then I think the jury is still out on that surface being suitable for soccer but it appears to be.

Regardless, pulling out the rug after the game and laying down grass has got to be cheaper then building a stadium and laying down grass.

[Sachin]

Originally posted by JohnMac


If it ends up being FieldTurf then I think the jury is still out on that surface being suitable for soccer but it appears to be.

Regardless, pulling out the rug after the game and laying down grass has got to be cheaper then building a stadium and laying down grass.

I believe FieldTurf is FIFA approved. Some artifical grass solution is and Ajax is considering it for their new arena.

Sachin

[jwinters]

Of course, if Columbia was willing to host an MLS team, adapting Wien Stadium could be done right now. (Or at least tomorrow morning.)

To me, the issues are:

1) Would Columbia want to host a team at a reasonable rent?

2) If so, where would you put the athletics track?

3) Would the neighbors raise enough of a stink to scuttle the project?

I've watched many football games at Baker Field. It's a bit remote, but a lovely site and just about the right size (capacity-wise) for MLS.

But, you know, see points 1, 2, and 3.

[Thomas A Fina]

Originally posted by jwinters
I've watched many football games at Baker Field. It's a bit remote, but a lovely site and just about the right size (capacity-wise) for MLS.


Question :

Is Baker Field and Wien Stadium one and the same, or did Columbia build a new football stadium and kept the old one (Baker) around
Where are this(these) stadia anyway?
IIRC, Baker Field is all the way at the Northern tip of Manhattan.

Thanks,

--Tom

[jwinters]

Originally posted by Thomas A Fina


Question :

Is Baker Field and Wien Stadium one and the same, or did Columbia build a new football stadium and kept the old one (Baker) around
Where are this(these) stadia anyway?
IIRC, Baker Field is all the way at the Northern tip of Manhattan.

Thanks,

--Tom If I understand the intracacies of donor appreciation, Wien Stadium (named after a guy who ponied up a lot of cash to replace an old wooden stadium) is within the complex of athletics fields known as Baker Field. Also in Baker Field are a soccer field and a baseball diamond.

And yes, it's all the way at the tip of Manhattan, at 218th Street. From Brooklyn, it takes an hour or more to get up there on the Westside IRT (1/9). But well worth it.

[snowfx2]

Have the Metros ever played an exhibiton or Open Cup match up at Coffey Field (7,000) on the campus of Fordham? It seems like it'd be a decent place for those kind of matches, but it looks like a baseball diamond would cut into the field.
http://www.fordham.edu/athletics/clubim/coffeyphotos.html

[retnicf]

Nope, Metros have never played at Coffey field. Not sure if it's ever been proposed. FWIW the Fordham soccer team does not use it either, they play on Edwards parade which is just across the street (no bleachers). Coffey Field has a pretty steep crown on it, from what I remember. I don't think it s a viable long term solution at all, but might be interesting for an exhibition game. Also, 7,000 is pushing it, more like 5,000.

The seats are all bleachers, no seat backs. During the summer the parking on Campus is not too bad, but it gets tight once school is in sesssion.

As far as public transportation, the Metro North train is right next to campus. The 4 and D trains are a bit of a walk.

(in case you can't tell, I'm a Fordham grad)

-retnicf

[obie]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No.

The Baker Field issue has been beaten to death on the Metro boards. Even if we get beyond the artificial surface, Columbia just paid several million dollars to replace the track around the field, thus making it far too narrow for soccer.