BC Place Stadium

[baseball_in_hel*]

BC Place Stadium is a really big stadium in Vancouver. It was originally made for baseball, and an MLB team was soon going to come to Vancouver as an expansion. But, a few exhibition games were played there first, and the outfielders really didn't like it, because on a high pop-fly, they couldn't see the ball because of the bright white dome. So, now the BC Lions play at BC Place, a Canadian Football League team. Quite a few years ago now, a few MLB exhibition games were played at BC Place, they just changed the field a bit.

It would be great if there was another MLB exhibition game at BC Place! I would definetely go to the game!!!!!!!!


I don't really see what was so bad about BC Place's dome, and the Minnesota Twins' dome???

~~Tyler~~
~~Peace~~

[Bluesteve32]

I don't really see what was so bad about BC Place's dome, and the Minnesota Twins' dome???

Baseball belongs in the outdoors and on God's green grass. The Metrodome is among the most hated ballparks by fans and the players in all of MLB now that Olympic Stadium is gone.

If BC had built a retractable roof dome like the BOB and the others, There would have been more of a chance for BC to get a team. I would say what happened to the Grizzlies may put BC down on the list. Until then, you may have to trek to Seattle for you MLB fix.

[efin98]

Baseball belongs in the outdoors and on God's green grass. The Metrodome is among the most hated ballparks by fans and the players in all of MLB now that Olympic Stadium is gone.

I read that and I doubt the vast majority of folks who make the claim of it being the worst have ever seen a game there.:rolleyes:

If BC had built a retractable roof dome like the BOB and the others, There would have been more of a chance for BC to get a team. I would say what happened to the Grizzlies may put BC down on the list. Until then, you may have to trek to Seattle for you MLB fix.

For expansion, yes. For moving a team, no. It's a ready to use stadium, for one of the teams that are on the short list to move out of their crappy stadiums(Florida, Oakland) it's a place that is very hard to resist.

[cutchemist42]

Just wondering what seating and dimensions were like for this. Also, anyone have any pictures of baseball in there?

[PeteU]

As both RFK Stadium and Tropicana Field now have major league teams playing in them after sitting vacant for years, I don't think there are any more "ready to go" major league sized venues in new markets out there besides B.C. Place and the Superdome. And given the fact Vancouver is arguably not be ready for MLB yet and that Katrina put the kibash on anything happening in New Orleans any time soon, any team that would arguably be looking to relocate somewhere would have an issue as to where to play.

People talk about Las Vegas as a relocation possibility but I can't see Cashman Field being used as a major league venue on a long term basis--it only seats 10,000 and can't be easily and cheaply expanded.

Buffalo and Portland do have larger minor league parks which could plausibly be a temporary venue, I guess, but even those are pretty small.

So the question is, if a team is looking to move, what market would they move and where would they play while the new ballpark is being built?

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

It doesn't really matter where, because they could just continue to play in their current location until a stadium is built for them, no?

[Brad MCdonald]

Being a huge baseball fan, and living in Vancouver all my life, I could not wait until BC Place opened in 1983.It seemed like MLB was just a few years away! Then when it opened and hosted exhibition games (which were very well attended) it was just a question of the city getting an expansion team or a relocation(The Indians were rumored). By the late 1980's it was getting obvious that it wasn't going to happen soon. The Expos attendance was starting to slide, the Mariners were struggling just a couple of hours South, player salaries were shooting up and the Canadian dollar was worth alot less that the US greenback. Then in 1993 during an exhibition game between Toronto and Seattle, '92 batting champ Edgar Martinez pulled a groin muscle on the turf and Lou Pinella swore that would be the last time they ever went to BC Place for a game.That kind of killed it there for Vancouver.Then the retractable roofs started to show up..then the 'retro parks. BC Place (like the MetroDome) became a symbol of sterility, and what was wrong with cookie cutter , multi purpose stadium.

In terms of building a baseball only stadium, that wont happen in Vancouver. Too many left wing knuckleheads hear.The local professional soccer team (USL, one step below the MLS) had bought land in downtown Vancouver(in a dingy waterfront area). They were going to build a 15,000 seat stadium privately (NO public money ..zero) and build it over some old train yards.They were going to make it accessible for youth soccer, the symphony ..make jobs available for some of the less fortunate people who live in the area etc

There was such an outcry from the whiners and losers(ie the people against everything) .Thankfully the city council showed some spine for once and it got approved.If we can barely get approval for a privately funded stadium, how could we get something MLB standards.I done think it will happen in my lifetime. Oh by the way, it was 330 down the lines, 375 in the power alleys and 400 to CF.

[PeteU]

It doesn't really matter where, because they could just continue to play in their current location until a stadium is built for them, no?

I guess so. Attendance would likely stink to high heavens, I would imagine.

[PeteU]

Oh by the way, it was 330 down the lines, 375 in the power alleys and 400 to CF.

Pretty standard stuff. I'm guessing they had some retractable stands, a la the Metrodome or Joe Robbie, no?

[Brad MCdonald]

The stands in what would be the right and right center field area are retractable. It looks almost the same as the Metrodown, except it has a standard 12 foot high fence from foul pole to foul pole (No "Hefty Bag" in right ala Minni) .

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I guess so. Attendance would likely stink to high heavens, I would imagine.Ya, but the team probably wouldn't be doing that good in that department to begin with if they were looking to move, so...

[JordanDL3891]

http://www.supremesteel.com/cwc/projects/bcplace/bc_place.jpg

http://www.eyeseavancouver.com/images/sports/BCPLACESTAD.jpg

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/british_columbia/vancouver_bc_place2.jpg

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

On a semi-side note, didn't the roof of this place kind of fall in/deflate recently?

[Brad MCdonald]

One thing on the Grizzlies moving to Memphis from Vancouver( I know this is a baseball forum, not basketball but the issue of fan support in general).. the people of this city got screwed by the NBA.The first three seasons in the NBA the Grizzlies had excellent crowds and the city was supportive despite a horrendous team that averaged 66 losses per year. Year 4 was a players strike, and if their is one thing that pisses off Canadians in general is professional sports strikes(see MLB 1994 strike and what it did to the Jays and the Expos attendance ). Year 5 the team was sold to Willy WallMart (Bill Laurie) who despite trying to hide the truth , had plans to move them to St Louis to the Kiel Center(which he owned with the St Louis Blues hockey team). The situation turned off the fans that year, then the deal was killed by the NBA and Micheal Heisly(callled Heistly in these parts) bought the team, sang the National Anthem at a home game a and promised a long term winner. Within 30 days of the start of the season, he announced that attendance had to pick up substantially or they would be gone.They had only played a handful of home dates vs lousy draws( Atlanta, post Jordan Bulls etc) and the rumours were alive about a move. By Christmas it was over ..they were going to Memphis.Out of 6 years, the last three were either league or team turmoil and people had a bitter taste about the NBA. The MLB in Vancouver...if they had the right facility, it would work...but I wont see it in my lifetime(per my earlier post).

[PeteU]

Ya, but the team probably wouldn't be doing that good in that department to begin with if they were looking to move, so...

I think the Houston Oilers tried doing that after the move to Tennessee was announced while the new stadium in Nashville was being built. It lasted a year--I think they averaged a little over 20,000 per game, which is attricious for the NFL, and they ended up playing in Memphis and at Vanderbilt for two years.

Then again, the Expos continued to play at Olympic Stadium (when they weren't in Puerto Rico) when it was all but a foregone conclusion they were moving out of Montreal, so I guess you can say there is precedent in baseball.

[PeteU]

http://www.supremesteel.com/cwc/projects/bcplace/bc_place.jpg

http://www.eyeseavancouver.com/images/sports/BCPLACESTAD.jpg

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/canada/british_columbia/vancouver_bc_place2.jpg

Wow....talk about a virtual spitting image of the Metrodome.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Yes, it did collapse recently. The inflatable roof sprung a huge leak...

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVb4NjUOXg4

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2pD4h44Xsk

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3O0U9PBKP8

[bluejaysfan]

Wow....talk about a virtual spitting image of the Metrodome.

The Metrodome, BC Place and RCA Dome in Indianapolis all have fairly similar interiors.

[sflnyc]

BUMP!!!

Here are some full-page photo spreads of BC Place in the 1983 and 1984 All-Star Game Programs advertising itself to MLB as the place to be for the next round of expansion. The Expos were still one of the best teams in baseball, the Blue Jays had just started to win and this was before the Canadian dollar went south. Expansion to Western Canada was the next logical step.

In July 1983, both the Canadian teams were in First Place at the same time, prompting Sports Illustrated to have this cover story in the 7.18.83 issue.
http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/1983/0718_large.jpg

I remember seeing that issue in the mail like it was yesterday, but it was 24 years ago. How time flies.

1983 All-Star Game Program

[sflnyc]

Up close of the BC Place Model in baseball configuration.

Open spaces beyond the LF fence (like Candlestick) and the retractable seats in RF (like many other stadiums).

Funny how what was perfectly acceptable (multi-purpose) and state of the art back then is derided now. Same applies to SkyDome in Toronto.

[sflnyc]

1984 All-Star Game Program

Talks about how the Blue Jays and the Brewers drew over 106,000 for a 3-game exhibition set earlier in the year.

[Ken Hastings]

Didn't the White Sox have a AAA team play in there?

[Jaybird]

Up close of the BC Place Model in baseball configuration.

Open spaces beyond the LF fence (like Candlestick) and the retractable seats in RF (like many other stadiums).

Funny how what was perfectly acceptable (multi-purpose) and state of the art back then is derided now. Same applies to SkyDome in Toronto.

Maybe an exhibition game could be played in BC Place again. First of all, the stadium switched from AstroTurf to FieldTurf, a grass-like surface. In fact, the FieldTurf came from Olympic Stadium (Stade Olympique in French) in Montreal, so maybe BC Place could still have the baseball cutouts on the field.
Also, I would put another video replay board across from the one that they currently have, plus a LED ring that most stadiums have now.

Second, since I noticed that the field setup was like Candlestick Park (now Monster Park) with an open area behind the left field area, I would either put extra seats in that area or put the team's bullpens behind the fence.

Third, with the right field seats being either retracted or removed in the right field area (like the Metrodome), I figured you could put a high wall in the area (AKA the baggie) or a scoreboard in the fence (like the Blue Blocker at Dolphin Stadium [preferably the hand operated one that the team used to have]).

Finally, with BC Place's baseball setup being a hybrid of the Metrodome and Candlestick (even though it is Monster Park and was 3Com Park), I would have these dimensions (prefered ones in parentheses)

Left Field: 330-335 feet (335)

Left-Center: 365-375 feet (365)

Center Field: 400-410 feet (405, although I did see 407 on the fence when I saw highlights of an exhibition game)

Right-Center: 365-375 feet (375)

Right Field: 325-330 feet (325, although Candlestick had the RF line at 335 and then to 328 to take advantage of Barry Bonds)

Fence Heights:
Left Field: 9-12 feet (Fence would have a screen so the pitchers in the bullpen can be seen)

Center Field: 9-20 feet (depending on how high off the ground the first row of seats are from the ground)

Right Field: 15-30 feet

[Jaybird]

If anyone has a seating chart of BC Place in its baseball configuration, let me know and please post it on here.

[Elvis]

http://www.bclions.com/themes/bc2/images/suites_skybox_big.jpg

http://www.bclions.com/themes/bc2/images/suites_gallery_big.jpg

http://www.bclions.com/themes/bc2/images/suites_goalpost_big.jpg

[Jaybird]

Many movies and TV shows have used the BC Place Stadium to do their filming. One in particular was a baseball-themed episode of MacGyver starring Richard Dean Anderson, which was filmed in British Columbia. Hank Aaron made an apprearance on that show. He was wearing a Cracker Jack Old-Timers Game National League uniform and it showed him hitting home runs.

Also, on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana (proof that anybody can get a TV show-BURN!), sometimes they show the exterior of BC Place when Hannah has a concert.

[PeteU]

Also, on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana (proof that anybody can get a TV show-BURN!), sometimes they show the exterior of BC Place when Hannah has a concert.

Referencing "Hannah Montana" in a baseball thread? I don't know, I think you might have to turn in your man-card for the day. :laugh

(Just joking with you. I think your caveat which cites the show as proof of the poor quality of TV these days will save you for the day. :D )

[Jaybird]

Referencing "Hannah Montana" in a baseball thread? I don't know, I think you might have to turn in your man-card for the day. :laugh

(Just joking with you. I think your caveat which cites the show as proof of the poor quality of TV these days will save you for the day. :D )

To quote the Dierks Bentley song, "What Was I Thinking?"

[Jaybird]

To get an idea of where the retractable seats are in BC Place, go to the BC Place website:

www.bcplace.com

From there, click on "Book Us", and then, click "Private Suites" and then go click on "Floor Plan", and it will show the area where the retractable seats are.

[Jim Vaz]

I have to say, any of these "inflatable type roofs are quite disturbing looking. Thanks god they are getting away from this awful look.

[Nat Bailey]

So, they are doing away with the current roof and going to fit it with a retractable one, to be finished after the 2010 Olympics. Maybe we can get some more exhibition games.... the whole stadium is to be refurbished as well...

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/lions/story.html?id=ec053228-3442-44f8-80c9-b8dbb685fa87

They may replace the rug they bought from Olympic Stadium as well.

[Nat Bailey]

Here is the old seating chart, for those interested. There was a request on the other page for one.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/spectatorfloor_fullampbaseball.jpg

Also, here is a small thumbnail of the new design, with a retractable roof. Looks European, but heck it would get the job done for baseball, they'd be able to put grass in!
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/00024195f20roof6.jpg

[tinseltown]

BC Place Stadium is a really big stadium in Vancouver. It was originally made for baseball, [ ... ] So, now the BC Lions play at BC Place, a Canadian Football League team. I wouldn't say "originally made" for baseball, but designed as a multi-purpose stadium that could host both football and baseball. Based on what I heard on my tour of BC Place a few years ago, it had always been intended to be home to the Lions.

Vancouver/Whistler had quite recently been awarded the 2010 Olympics when I visited, and the guide talked about the questions posed by the roof: it had become quite dirty since its original installation, and it is too difficult to clean while inflated. So there was talk at the time of perhaps putting some kind of liner in place, or replacing the roof entirely, and it seems like both those options are now planned.

[marlins739]

Those seats down the first base line are awkward. The Metrodome and Dolphin Stadium have straight sides at 90 degree angles, which allows them to set up better with equal seating on both sides. It looks like they could make more of the right field corner retractable and position the field at a better angle.

[Nat Bailey]

Those seats down the first base line are awkward. The Metrodome and Dolphin Stadium have straight sides at 90 degree angles, which allows them to set up better with equal seating on both sides. It looks like they could make more of the right field corner retractable and position the field at a better angle.

When I went to the exhibition games back in the day, I don't recall that big gap that you remarked on, I do believe they had added seats in that space.

[Chevy114]

Thats a shame, I had to feel your pain for a few years as a kid as we waiting patiently for a baseball team to leave their home city or get an expansion team. the way I look at it though, sometimes its a good thing when you don't get a team, you either have the team get fed up and leave like the expos or people give you crap until you fanbase goes up like tampa and flrorida. That is the only positive I can give Vancouver for doing what they thought was right just like miami homestead did with a spring training park.

[BeatEmBucs]

Also, here is a small thumbnail of the new design, with a retractable roof. Looks European, but heck it would get the job done for baseball, they'd be able to put grass in!
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/00024195f20roof6.jpg

That looks a lot like what Olympic Stadium had from 1976-88, then they put that supposed-to-be but not retractable roof on. Still that would be great for summer games in Vancouver, but with the Marlins and Twins getting stadium deals done, who would play there? I can't think of any MLB team "shopping around" right now.

[Nat Bailey]

Ok, I got a pic from the good folks at BC Place, this one is from the early 80s exhibition, not the later one in the 90s where Edgar Martinez pulled his hammy :(

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/baseballclassic1.jpg

[Greg B.]

Ok, I got a pic from the good folks at BC Place, this one is from the early 80s exhibition, not the later one in the 90s where Edgar Martinez wrecked his knee :(

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/baseballclassic1.jpg

Wow... LOTS of foul territory down the first base line!

Otherwise, not all that bad.

[BigMac1212]

I'm trying to find the bullpens.

Nod bad, reminds me of both the Metrodome & Kingdome.

[The House That Ruth Built]

If you put down field turf, and somehow eliminate some of that foul territory, it's not half bad. It's better than the Metrodome! :cap:

[Yankees12]

They need to rotate that field so the foul lines are parallel with the ends of the stands.

[PeteU]

Ok, I got a pic from the good folks at BC Place, this one is from the early 80s exhibition, not the later one in the 90s where Edgar Martinez wrecked his knee :(

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/baseballclassic1.jpg

Good find. A lot like the Metrodome, sans baggie, plus some wierd alignment of the field.

It would probably been passable for 1980s ball--was the Vancouver area still considered too small to be a viable market back then.

Now of course it's hopelessly outdated, but it isn't worse than the Metrodome, for what it's worth.

[Yoda]

the interior of the roof freaks me out with the way those lights are tucked into those grooves.

it's like some hr geiger alien planet.

[PeteU]

I'm trying to find the bullpens.




Just a guess, but perhaps they are behind the right field fence?

[aqib]

Weren't the Mariners planning to play a few regular season games there in the late 80s before they got good?

Is Vancouver more Mariner territory or Jays territory. I recall back in the hay day of the Jays, Seattle-Toronto home games had many Canadian fans rooting for the Jays so it seemed like a Jays home.

[Brad MCdonald]

Despite what the media in Toronto think, the Jays are not "Canada's team". The
M's got a huge following in Vancouver after the 95 season and that has stuck..although the last few years have been trying .While there are Blue Jay supporters,there are also a # of Red Sox and Yankee fans up here too. There
is a rivalry between the two cities, and most of us really cant stand anything Toronto .

[Greg B.]

Despite what the media in Toronto think, the Jays are not "Canada's team". The
M's got a huge following in Vancouver after the 95 season and that has stuck..although the last few years have been trying .While there are Blue Jay supporters,there are also a # of Red Sox and Yankee fans up here too. There
is a rivalry between the two cities, and most of us really cant stand anything Toronto .


Also true here on the east coast. Prior to the Expos, most of us here were either Yankee or Red Sox fans. The Expos captured some of those or created a National League favorite as well. The Blue Jays captured some especially after their 2 WS wins but a lot of those were bandwagon-jumpers. Now that the Expos are gone I suspect we are back to Yanks/Sox faithful for the most part. The Boo Jays are not particularly loved here despite all of their games being available on TV. Their atrocious broadcast team doesn't help them much either.

[mrakbaseball]

When 2 tiles fell from the Kingdome on July 19, 1994 and forced the Mariners to play the rest of that season on the road, why did MLB deem the B.C. Place an inadequate home field? They also shot down Cheney Stadium in Tacoma and pre-renovation Civic Stadium in Portland, probably because of small capacities. B.C. Place probably could have worked as a temporary venue.

[Brad MCdonald]

I agree on the Blue Jays broadcast team on Sportsnet...Jamie Campbell is the worst PBP guy. Out here, we call them the broadcast team of "Ralph Malph and
Potsie Webber" ( a "Happy Days" sitcom reference for those that don't know). We get force feed the Central Canada lie that..

* Toronto Maple Leafs are Canada's hockey team team (not true)
* Toronto Raptors are Canada's basketball team (not true)
* Totonto FC are Canada's soccer team (not true)

And then force feed a diet of "The Blue Jays are Canada's team"(which is complete and utter crap!)


To our good friends in the USA,I don"t know if there's a parallel where one city(not just a team) pushes that there teams must be worshiped coast to coast without question.Up here, it gets sickening !

[mrakbaseball]

I agree on the Blue Jays broadcast team on Sportsnet...Jamie Campbell is the worst PBP guy. Out here, we call them the broadcast team of "Ralph Malph and
Potsie Webber" ( a "Happy Days" sitcom reference for those that don't know). We get force feed the Central Canada lie that..

* Toronto Maple Leafs are Canada's hockey team team (not true)
* Toronto Raptors are Canada's basketball team (not true)
* Totonto FC are Canada's soccer team (not true)

And then force feed a diet of "The Blue Jays are Canada's team"(which is complete and utter crap!)


To our good friends in the USA,I don"t know if there's a parallel where one city(not just a team) pushes that there teams must be worshiped coast to coast without question.Up here, it gets sickening !

Okay, so just because you're in Canada doesn't make you a fan of all things Toronto. Well, it looks like the B.C. Place will outlast both the Metrodome and RCA Dome.

[Nat Bailey]

When 2 tiles fell from the Kingdome on July 19, 1994 and forced the Mariners to play the rest of that season on the road, why did MLB deem the B.C. Place an inadequate home field? They also shot down Cheney Stadium in Tacoma and pre-renovation Civic Stadium in Portland, probably because of small capacities. B.C. Place probably could have worked as a temporary venue.

Maybe it was the whole other country thing... who knows.. thats CFL season too, which means the Lions would have been using it then....

[aqib]

What does any of this have to do with the B.C. Place stadium? Weird off topic rant.

It started when I asked if people in Vancouver were Mariners fans or Blue Jays fans...

[DrBear]

Maybe it was the whole other country thing... who knows.. thats CFL season too, which means the Lions would have been using it then....

And it may also mean that the Mariners or MLB didn't want to pay the money it probably would have cost to fix up the moveable seats, get the baseball field redone (how long had it been since the last baseball game there?) as well as the many headaches involved with moving the operation not only a few hundred miles but across a national border.

[Sean O]

I cannot believe this will be Vancouver's olympic stadium. While I'm not a huge fan of the particulars of the Bird's Nest (I hate Deconstructivism), it is without a doubt an epic design. BC Place is about as epic as the Vet, and a hideously ugly building. And, best of all, the retractable roof apparently won't be ready for the olympics.

Between BC Place and that incredibly bland London Olympic Stadium, I have to wonder how these cities keep winning bids. I'm warming up to Chicago's design simply because it has a unique look, but the others are simply atrocious.

The olympics in a metrodome clone. oye.

[TinoM24]

not only will the retractable dome for BC place not be ready for the olympics, they arent even starting construction on the new roof until AFTER the games.

[Yankees12]

I cannot believe this will be Vancouver's olympic stadium. While I'm not a huge fan of the particulars of the Bird's Nest (I hate Deconstructivism), it is without a doubt an epic design. BC Place is about as epic as the Vet, and a hideously ugly building. And, best of all, the retractable roof apparently won't be ready for the olympics.

Between BC Place and that incredibly bland London Olympic Stadium, I have to wonder how these cities keep winning bids. I'm warming up to Chicago's design simply because it has a unique look, but the others are simply atrocious.

The olympics in a metrodome clone. oye.

The Winter Olympics generally don't have special stadiums built for them, and up until very recently (as recently as Nagano 1998, I think), there weren't any Olympic Stadiums for Winter Olympics. Salt Lake City just used a bland college football stadium that was mostly bleachers (although it was massively renovated for the games), and I believe Torino used Torino FC's home stadium, which isn't spectacular either.

Olympic Stadiums really aren't important for the Winter Games.

As for London's Olympic Stadium, it's a complete joke, and will undoubtedly be one of the worst Olympic Stadiums in recent memory (worse than Barcelona or Mexico City, probably). They would have been better off departing from tradition and using Wembley for the ceremonies and building a smaller track and field stadium for athletics (perhaps a 40,000 seat stadium that would then get reduced to 25,000, as opposed to the horrific 90,000 seat stadium which will be immediately reduced). Or at least let that stadium be reconfigured for soccer and given to a London Premier League club that needs a new stadium (such as West Ham United or Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom had interest in reconfiguring the Olympic Stadium for their own future use).

[TinoM24]

why do you think the London stadium is a joke? I dont see anything wrong with it...

[Chevy114]

I just saw the pic of it for baseball, that curve on the firstbase side looks so weird, but again like tampa a chance you take when playing guessing games.

[mrakbaseball]

Hole in B.C. Place's roof. January 5, 2007

[mrakbaseball]

B.C. Place's deflated roof January 2007.

[tinseltown]

That looks a lot like what Olympic Stadium had from 1976-88, then they put that supposed-to-be but not retractable roof on.The Big O didn't have anything other than its concrete roof until the Kevlar roof was installed, and its appearance is quite different than the artist's conception of BC Place's future retractable roof.

[JaysFan29]

BC Place is getting a retractable roof and a big reno for the 2010 Olympics

Are these signs for baseball in Vancouver by 2020?

[Sean O]

BC Place is getting a retractable roof and a big reno for the 2010 Olympics

Are these signs for baseball in Vancouver by 2020?

The retractable roof and most of the renovation won't be ready in time.

[TinoM24]

theyre starting work on the retractable roof after the olympics are over.

[JaysFan29]

Either way the bottom line is it's coming and I think it's something to take into consideration when speculating about Major League Baseball in Vancouver. Wether it's an exhibition game or an actual franchise.

[Jaybird]

And it may also mean that the Mariners or MLB didn't want to pay the money it probably would have cost to fix up the moveable seats, get the baseball field redone (how long had it been since the last baseball game there?) as well as the many headaches involved with moving the operation not only a few hundred miles but across a national border.

The FieldTurf Surface that is in BC Place came from Olympic Stadium in Montreal after the 2004 season in which the Expos moved to Washington and became the Nationals. So, it's a possibility that BC Place may have the turf with the cutouts for baseball.

[Edgar.Martinez]

The BC Place Renovations. Bring MLB to Vancouver!

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8630/68503015bd5.jpg
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4370/50436235bi5.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7317/16942348vj7.jpg

[mrakbaseball]

Even with a different roof, B.C. Place's seating configuration isn't suitable for baseball.

[Paul W]

football rectangles - bad for baseball...
marlins stadium, metrodome, kingdome etc.

[Anubis2051]

The BC Place Renovations. Bring MLB to Vancouver!

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8630/68503015bd5.jpg
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4370/50436235bi5.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7317/16942348vj7.jpg

wow that looks great. It's not a metrodome clone anymore. It almost looks like a european soccer stadium. I'd wait until we see it in baseball configuration before we go asking MLB to put a team there though. Any chance the hockey style jumbotron could interfere with play?

[efin98]

football rectangles - bad for baseball...
marlins stadium, metrodome, kingdome etc.

Amazing how people can just bash it without ever actually seeing a game in the places :rolleyes:

[Edgar.Martinez]

Amazing how people can just bash it without ever actually seeing a game in the places :rolleyes:

aha very true. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and one the roof opens up, it would be the perfect setting for a summer ballgame.

Also, BC Place was built with the PROMISE to have an MLB franchise in Vancouver by the 1990s. :)

[efin98]

aha very true. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and one the roof opens up, it would be the perfect setting for a summer ballgame.

The aerial shots of the stadium and surrounding area doesn't do it justice, it will be a gem for the city.

Also, BC Place was built with the PROMISE to have an MLB franchise in Vancouver by the 1990s. :)

Doesn't matter how beautiful the stadium is or where it is at they will bash it just because of who also plays in there..and having never seen it in person...and never seen a game there. But why let those things get in the way of their obsession with being against anything that is multi-purpose or of use beyond the 81 days a year that baseball is played there :rolleyes:

[mrakbaseball]

Amazing how people can just bash it without ever actually seeing a game in the places :rolleyes:
You have a point, however it doesn't appear that the seating configuration is going to be altered enough, or at all, to make feasible to be a baseball facility that isn't just a slightly more spacious version of the Metrodome.

[RoastedPeanut]

As Mr. Brent Butt would say, 'Go Riders!'

[Chevy114]

I like it! I just hope they don't have sight line issues or size issues like the metrodome!

[ryanblaze]

When they had a couple of games at the end of Spring Training in the mid-90`s the Mariners were going to play a few of their regular season series at BC Place because of the issues with attendance and the condition of the Kingdome. This was all put to rest however after the 95 run and then of course the subsequent approval of State tax dollars to build Safeco.

I love baseball, would love to see MLB in Vancouver but it won`t happen in BC Place. The only way baseball could be successful in this area would be to build a baseball only facility with a stadium the size of PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Also on the subject of BC Place, the press box that was built for the intentions of the baseball configurations has been converted into the in stadium production room as well as an auxiliary security area for large events (the other security room is housed in the East Airlock) and as recently as November of 08 the lone broadcast booth of the baseball press box that hasn`t been converted is storage for extra furniture for the suites.

I did notice when I was walking through the bowels of the stadium last November a storage area that may have been all the baseball related stuff. I saw the foul poles for sure and some rolled up turf.

[Dodgeboy]

Amazing how people can just bash it without ever actually seeing a game in the places :rolleyes:

I HAVE seen it (at least the Metrodome), and it honestly wouldn't be bad. That said, there's no way MLB would put a team in there permanently. It would make a great interm facility, and the opening roof is one heck of an upgrade.

Actually, has anyone shown this to the MN Vikings? A massively rebuilt dome might be more reasonable in this economy. And, they could still keep the baseball configuration for all of the high school and college games held there Feb though April :clapping

[Nat Bailey]

I attended the exhibition games that were played there, back when it was built, and again in the 90s and it was fine. It'd be even better with the roof gone. The turf is better now too. Come on Oakland, we are waiting! ;)

[Nat Bailey]

I posted this before, but it went missing when I reorganized my photobucket account. So, without further ado, this is from one of the exhibition series in the early 80s. I would think with a permanent team some tamporary seating would be added to that big gap on the side.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/Baseball/baseballclassic1.jpg

[mrakbaseball]

. I would think with a permanent team some temporary seating would be added to that big gap on the side.

Do you believe that B.C. Place would be suitable as a full-time MLB venue after the renovations are complete? Temporary seating on the 1st base side would kind of be reminiscent of old War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo.
B.C. Place would probably only be suitable as a 2 year temporary (at most) venue should Vancouver ever be a candidate for a relocated team.

[efin98]

Do you believe that B.C. Place would be suitable as a full-time MLB venue after the renovations are complete? Temporary seating on the 1st base side would kind of be reminiscent of old War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo.
B.C. Place would probably only be suitable as a 2 year temporary (at most) venue should Vancouver ever be a candidate for a relocated team.

Why only two years? Why is it not suitable with improvements? Do you have a valid reason why it has to be abandoned after only a short time

[Matito]

I posted this before, but it went missing when I reorganized my photobucket account. So, without further ado, this is from one of the exhibition series in the early 80s. I would think with a permanent team some tamporary seating would be added to that big gap on the side.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/manicjaguar/Baseball/baseballclassic1.jpg

Gap? What gap? :laugh

[mrakbaseball]

Why only two years? Why is it not suitable with improvements? Do you have a valid reason why it has to be abandoned after only a short time
I don't know enough about the luxury suite situation there, whether or not that there would be enough of a corporate presence in Vancouver to fill those suites, retail/concessions space. The all-important seating configuration would still be a slightly more spacious version of the much maligned Metrodome. Does Vancouver even have a metro population over 2 million? Vancouver already failed as an NBA city. Does Vancouver even want a baseball team? Thinking of West Coast cities for a relocated MLB franchise, you hear Portland a lot more than Vancouver, Portland probably should have been the destination for the Expos. The Nationals attendance has lagged and they have awful television and radio numbers.

[Anubis2051]

I don't know enough about the luxury suite situation there, whether or not that there would be enough of a corporate presence in Vancouver to fill those suites, retail/concessions space. The all-important seating configuration would still be a slightly more spacious version of the much maligned Metrodome. Does Vancouver even have a metro population over 2 million? Vancouver already failed as an NBA city. Does Vancouver even want a baseball team? Thinking of West Coast cities for a relocated MLB franchise, you hear Portland a lot more than Vancouver, Portland probably should have been the destination for the Expos. The Nationals attendance has lagged and they have awful television and radio numbers.

The ratings may have something to do with the fact that they are the only MLB team that doesn't control their own broadcast rights, the Orioles do. They play second fiddle to them most of the season. Not to mention the team sucks right now. Give them some time, if they make a turn around, you'll see their ratings rise.

[Dodgeboy]

I don't know enough about the luxury suite situation there, whether or not that there would be enough of a corporate presence in Vancouver to fill those suites, retail/concessions space. The all-important seating configuration would still be a slightly more spacious version of the much maligned Metrodome. Does Vancouver even have a metro population over 2 million? Vancouver already failed as an NBA city. Does Vancouver even want a baseball team? Thinking of West Coast cities for a relocated MLB franchise, you hear Portland a lot more than Vancouver, Portland probably should have been the destination for the Expos. The Nationals attendance has lagged and they have awful television and radio numbers.

I've always thought that Vancouver could handle an AL team (Montreal too, but that's a different thread :D) Built in rivalries with Seattle (border battle) and Toronto (you DON'T represent all of Canada) The reason why you never hear about MLB in Vancouver is most people don't even think of it. People will say this city or that region deserves a team, but Canada never even crosses their minds, even though Vancouver is probably a better idea than OKC, San Antonio, Sacramento, Norfolk, and even Indianapolis. Personally, I'd love to see a three-way series in the AL between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. :waving

That said, the odds that the MLB brass will approve of BC Place as anything but a short-term solution aren't that good. MLB REALLY doesn't want to share stadium time and especially REVENUES with other teams. BC Place already hosts the CFL, and Vancouver's soccer team is moving in once the new roof is on, so there's TWO teams to deal with, both of whom' seasons start much earlier than the NFL's

[mrakbaseball]

I've always thought that Vancouver could handle an AL team (Montreal too, but that's a different thread :D) Built in rivalries with Seattle (border battle) and Toronto (you DON'T represent all of Canada) , I'd love to see a three-way series in the AL between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. :waving
Seattle, Portland, Vancouver. :thumbsup: Yes, that is what I want, but not B.C. Place. B.C. Place just isn't a baseball facilty.

[Nat Bailey]

I don't know enough about the luxury suite situation there, whether or not that there would be enough of a corporate presence in Vancouver to fill those suites, retail/concessions space. The all-important seating configuration would still be a slightly more spacious version of the much maligned Metrodome. Does Vancouver even have a metro population over 2 million? Vancouver already failed as an NBA city. Does Vancouver even want a baseball team? Thinking of West Coast cities for a relocated MLB franchise, you hear Portland a lot more than Vancouver, Portland probably should have been the destination for the Expos. The Nationals attendance has lagged and they have awful television and radio numbers.
As far as corporate seats, we had no problem with the Grizzlies at all filling those, and in fact, before anyone jumps on the team for leaving, it wasn't attendance related. It was the dollar at the time as well as having Stu JAckson for a GM, who gave the Grizzlies a awful record Every season.

Metro population is 2,116,581 as of 2006.

[efin98]

As far as corporate seats, we had no problem with the Grizzlies at all filling those, and in fact, before anyone jumps on the team for leaving, it wasn't attendance related. It was the dollar at the time as well as having Stu JAckson for a GM, who gave the Grizzlies a awful record Every season.

The dollar and taxes doomed the Winnepeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques during that same era so it's not uncommon...but the times have changed(better for Canada, worse for US but that's a whole other issue).

Didn't help that the league's idiotic lottery system prevented the worst team in the league from getting the top pick each year they were in Vancouver nor the rules barring expansion teams from picking in the top five of the draft in their initial year(only league that bars the new team from first pick overall!).

They can sustain a major sports team in the city, the BC Lions and the Vancouver Canucks are prime examples of it. What the team would need is someone with deep pockets who will stick with the team through the rough times- it can happen.

Metro population is 2,116,581 as of 2006.

It's almost 2.4 million if you take into account the lower mainland region of BC. It's larger than the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Milwaukee metro areas.

[ryanblaze]

I wonder if it is possible for Vancouver to host first round games for the 2013 WBC. I would be kinda cool if the MLB decided to keep the first round out of the United States. I don't think they could play games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal because the turf they used with the Expos is now in Vancouver.

[mrakbaseball]

I wonder if it is possible for Vancouver to host first round games for the 2013 WBC. I would be kinda cool if the MLB decided to keep the first round out of the United States. I don't think they could play games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal because the turf they used with the Expos is now in Vancouver.
Probably not. I believe the next WBC is in 2012. Vancouver lacks a viable venue for baseball. None of the renovations being done to the B.C. Place make it baseball friendly.

[go_leafs_go02]

Correct.

BC place is being used for the Olympic games opening and closing. MAJOR renovations (interior) are being done this summer to prepare it for the Olympics.

I'm pretty sure keeping the stadium open to holding MLB games is not a priority at all.

After the games, further renovations will take place which will rip down the roof and allow for a retractable canvas style roof that also can block off the upper deck.

It eerily reminds me of Olympic Stadium, and we all know how that retractable roof worked out.

woot. First post...been lurking for months.

[efin98]

Correct.

BC place is being used for the Olympic games opening and closing. MAJOR renovations (interior) are being done this summer to prepare it for the Olympics.

I'm pretty sure keeping the stadium open to holding MLB games is not a priority at all.

After the games, further renovations will take place which will rip down the roof and allow for a retractable canvas style roof that also can block off the upper deck.

It eerily reminds me of Olympic Stadium, and we all know how that retractable roof worked out.

The second phase of renovations will be done before the next WBC which isn't until either 2012 or 2013. There should be no conflict with the renovations if they are going to be done well before the tournament begins again...

[go_leafs_go02]

The second phase of renovations will be done before the next WBC which isn't until either 2012 or 2013. There should be no conflict with the renovations if they are going to be done well before the tournament begins again...

Yeah, but with renovations, I will be shocked if they even bother keeping the place with the potential to configure it for baseball in 4 years. It's not feasible in my books. I don't know what the interior renovations consist of, but I'm sure some of the seating will be locked in place, and underneath the 'temporary grandstands' (aka those that retract for baseball) will be upgraded to be staging areas or who knows what for the Olympics.

[ryanblaze]

The next WBC is in 2013.

The renovations of BC Place are not altering the seating bowl however the comment made that the new roof could pose a problem is valid. When PAVCO had their initial press conference to announce that they were going ahead with the renovations a member of the press corps asked if the stadium would still be able to host baseball and they said it would however obtaining baseball events wouldn't be a priority for PAVCO.

It probably wouldn't happen in Vancouver but it would nice to see them shift sites.

[Chevy114]

I wouldn't want baseball if I was burned like they were. I know the folks of the former baseball city have no reminders of boardwalk and baseball at all, just a shinny new mall. I think bc place should be made as much football as possible before it ends up like candlestick and no one has the money to care about it anymore.

[Anubis2051]

Heres a few pictures of the deflated roof. Any word on the renovation?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/160_place_hole3_070105.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/DSC05977_colorized_and_shrunk.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/BC_Place_Deflated2.jpg/800px-BC_Place_Deflated2.jpg

[Brad MCdonald]

The renovations have started on the concourse level...new signage, renovated the bathrooms etc. the next phase will be the retractable roof which they will start after the 2010 Winter Olympics, and be ready for the 2011 MLS /CFL Seasons.