I hope by 4/17 they have resodded the field especially the east part of the field and behind the south goal. My grass in my back yard looks better than soldier field's pitch. I thought before the bears played that the field was going to be wider, was it? It didn't look like it.
That field was in criminal shape. It was like that scene in The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (oh lord did I date myself there) where they all play ball in the sand lot with the rocks that kick the ball up in random locations. I felt a bit embarrassed by it.
Did you see the lines, especially the penalty box on the south end? The lines were crooked! That turf did suck ass - I hope they re-sod before the home opener.
Now I know why smoking is banned at Soldier Field: The whole length of the east side of the field would've gone up in flames if a spark fell on it. OK, I've got to wonder if the Fire doesn't investigate the field condition ahead time. Not like a week in advance but further out, so that in case the field is in the shape it was in last night, they could go to the PD and say, "Hey! We've got a game coming up. Our contract calls for this and this and this with regard to the field conditions. What are you going to do to fix it up?!" And the PD was dreadfully negligent in the "upkeep" of the field. I was worried that someone was going to get hurt. Especially since the field wasn't covered prior to the game. Shameful and embarrassing.
I thought they installed heating devices underneath the grass so that new sod could be installed even in winter. If it rains before a game why don't they put a tarp on it?
Let's get serious here! Do you really think the PD is going to bend over backwards for the fire considering they are moving to Bridgeview. I'm surprised Daley did not have them bulldoze a big X in the middle of the field. We don't know what their contract states. Their contract might not include maintenence to the field April-Novemeber.
And who among us can forget Liam's constant proclamations on how much better the field was going to be? Want some ketchup with that crow? I think the Cardinal Stadium surface might have been safer. I wonder if the Fire's lease has anything about the field being in playable condition, because that was absolute garbage.
Not to say "I told you so" . . . but what the hell If I had the energy I would go back to those old SF threads where we discussed the field. Some strong supporters of the New SF said, "oh no, the New SF will have a high tech field with high tech drainage and high teck heating elements, blah, blah, blah" As a fatalist, I said, "new field, same old park district." I'm guessing that our newly announced deal with Bridgeview will probably not help our cause with the boys in the ivory PD sky box.
It is the same old Park District, and seeing the field up close it was a disaster. Even with the Park District/SMG neglect, it was less of a disaster in my estimation than it usually was around our season opener, when you would be lucky if there was even grass on the flanks at all, much less brown or dying grass. Not that it really makes much of a difference between crap and crap with grass on it. But, still, I stand by what I said. All things considered, it should be a much better surface.
soldier field falling apart already I was in sec 215 Wednesday night. At one place there was water leaking through from the deck above. Nice workmanship. I'd bet in a few years they find some major faults with the staduim, lucky by then the Fire will be in Bridgeview.
In trib today they had a quote from the park district chief promising a better field by 4/17 and stating poor field conditions was because turf farms are not open yet,so they couldn't do much.
Yup. Man U only plays on pristine natural grass. The PD will have to fly it in if it's not already there. We're not in the position that they're in. They can demand things and actually get them.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...375mar26,1,6063696.story?coll=cs-soccer-print Is it just me or was this game scheduled, at Soldier Field, over a month ago?
http://www.chicago-fire.com/pressbox/pressrelease/releasetext.asp?prID=1414 Well, tickets went on sale a month ago today. So the Park District and SMG must have known at least that long.
You guys sound surprised. For starters, the PD is not going to bend backwards for a game that drew 6,000 (which was a generous estimate). As early as a week ago, it was still snowing in Chicago. With the temperature now in the 60s and plenty of rain, now is a good time to grow grass and maintain it. I reffed on a game yesterday, and it was wet, muddy and disgusting. My spikes were full of mud after the game. My backyard is quite disgusting right now because I couldn't maintain it during the winter. Yes, the field was a mess, but it shouldn't surprise anyone. It will be in better shape on opening day simply because the weather will allow it... To be honost, the poor field was better for the Fire. It slowed down their forwards, who were much faster than the Fire's backs. As much as I like CJ, he's almost as slow as Jeff Agoos (but I will never deem him to be that bad). Also, Henry Ring didn't exactly thrill fans with his debut. The less chances the other team has, the better. In any case, I'm very happy soccer has started. I got tired of being inside, and the only thing I had worthy to cheer for is my high school basketball team!
That is the purest form of **************** I have heard coming from the city since Daley claimed he knew nothing about the hired truck scheme. Can't we just build the stadium with Legos and open in April? Bill Q. www.thefirealarm.com
Did Anyone from the Fire Check Out SF... before the game? I would assume Peter Wilt would have stopped by to make sure everything was set. Right?
They better start bending backward. The moment one person tears an ACL on that field, they can find themselves in an actionable position. This field wasn't just unsightly to the eyes, it looked downright dangerous in some spots.