Bellflower’s Ryan Hunley, shown here after winning the 200 meters at the Arcadia Invitational, is headed to Golden West College in the Fall
I got my first look at Dodger Stadium since the $100 million remodel Friday night against the Pirates. And although the millions of dollars spent isn’t immediately evident when you first enter the ball park I came away impressed.
The new scoreboards in left and right field are something to see. They are as clear as a picture as you’re ever going to see as they come at you in HD. It was kind of strange not to see the traditional old school light bulb scoreboard in right field but the new one was such an upgrade that you won’t miss the old one for long. It has every piece of information on it that you’re going to need including who is currently warming up in the bullpen.
There was no line at the concession stand at all. At least in the section I was sitting, field level down the left field line, they were efficient and quick. It took me all of two minutes to pick up a Dodger Dog and a coke and even after loading up the dog with mustard, relish and onions, I was back in my seat without missing a beat, and barely an out.
The concourse areas have also been expanded making it much less crowded when you make your way to and from your seat.
The restrooms have been improved and enlarged – no more troughs in the mens facilities- and doesn’t that make everybody happy?
Driving into the parking lot was probably as easy as I can remember. There were parking attendants everywhere instructing the drivers exactly where to park making the process fast and easy. And paying only $10.00 to park, remember the new ownership reduced it from $15.00 when they took over last year, was well worth it.
Getting out of the lots was painless as well. The lots are well lit and again the parking attendants were out in full force directing traffic. I was on the freeway in a matter of minutes and this was with over 40.000 in attendance.
Every Friday night home game there are fireworks and the fans are allowed to go out on the field during the show. This went off without a hitch as well. Nobody rushed the field or tried to run anybody over. It was well organized and run to near perfection. There was good music and if you’re into fireworks it’s a great production.
I didn’t get a chance to see the kids area, which makes the park more family friendly, but they showed video of it on the high defininition screen in left field and it looked like a nice touch.
As for the game itself, The Dodgers spent another $147 million wisely on Zach Greinke. The right hander threw six and one-third scoreless innings allowing just two hits, to highlight the Dodgers 3-0 shutout. Matt Kemp even busted out of an oh for 2013 slump with an RBI double to right.
It’s still, as Vin Scully likes to say, the best buy in town. It definitely is time for Dodger baseball.
Ran into Bellflower running back Ryan Hunley at the Arcadia Invitational on Saturday. After smoking the field in Men’s 200 meters he told me he was going to Golden West College in Huntington Beach in the fall. Last year Hunley rushed for 1907 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Buccaneers and should make a big impact down at the beach.
Former Azusa Aztec Lyzette Salas, class of 2007, was nine under as of Saturday at the LPGA tour in Palm Springs, and in second place behind the leader. She is currently number eight on the money list this year in the world. As for the football team;
“We look good. We’re working hard,” said Azusa Coach Joe Scherf.
As for Montview League rival Gladstone have the Gladiators hired a coach yet? Anybody know his name?
That’s my principle.
Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.
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