The ACC tourney (may be OT)
- Thread starter Hankp22
- Start date
I did not know that.
It sounds like a great opportunity for a minor league team to cross promote their product. But I understand their obligation is to the league.
No, it doesn't need to be moved. Hoover isn't the nicest ball park but it's certainly not a dump. I believe the SEC contracted with Hoover to have it for another 8-9 years.
Regions Field (downtown Birmingham) would be a great venue but the lack of parking and RV space keeps the tournament from moving there.
Regions Field (downtown Birmingham) would be a great venue but the lack of parking and RV space keeps the tournament from moving there.
Personally, I'd like to see it in one of the 7 MLB parks in the 11-state footprint. The schedules should be workable - the MLB team would just need to have 2 consecutive road series.
I think its back up for bid in '22 or '23. And you're wrong, it does need to be moved and probably put on a rotation between Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, etc. While we're at it let's get the SEC offices out of Birmingham as well. Arguing this tournament should remain in Birmingham is shortsighted.
I know Greenville, SC is bidding on the ACC tourney and they have a fabulous downtown park (Red Sox affiliate) complete with Green Monster with seating. Moving the SEC tourney from Birmingham would only be an upgrade given the number of great ballparks in the Southeast.
That was a mistake. It needs to rotate out of Birmingham to other states and cities. RVs can be parked anywhere and that doesn't have to be right next to the stadium. They shouldn't keep the tournament anchored in an aged, single use suburban stadium when so many good urban minor league stadiums are available.
Nashville is more centrally located than Atlanta or Memphis, and if the tournament is moved, might be the best geographic location, but I don't know what their stadium is like. Probably no worse than Hoover. I'd think that, since the Met isn't used for anything other than the SEC tournament and maybe high school games, that maintenance cost is a thorn in the side for Hoover.
First TN Park in Nashville is a first class AAA park, seating capacity is ~10k, opened in 2015 and it's located downtown. Layout is very "berm" friendly for those interested in that and the grandstand and concourse are nearly as nice as you'll see at most MLB parks. There is no objective way to say the Met can compete with it, the RV argument is ludicrous.
This
The park needs to seat a comfortable 10,000 with the ability to accommodate 15,000. That park in Nashville is top shelf. I also think the park we played in Frisco would be fun (if the central location issue could be reconciled). AutoZone in Memphis is another obvious answer.
And the RV argument is awful and tiring. Let's keep it here so these RVs can park right by the stadium instead of having it in a downtown area where 1000s can!
The park needs to seat a comfortable 10,000 with the ability to accommodate 15,000. That park in Nashville is top shelf. I also think the park we played in Frisco would be fun (if the central location issue could be reconciled). AutoZone in Memphis is another obvious answer.
And the RV argument is awful and tiring. Let's keep it here so these RVs can park right by the stadium instead of having it in a downtown area where 1000s can!
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Frankly, Birmingham has never really given Auburn or Bama an advantage in baseball, but as good as Vandy is, given Nashville the tourney would be akin to giving Lexington the basketball tourney.
Try to make it as central as possible while making it as neutral as possible. Downtown Stadiums do have their parking issues, but there is land within 4 or 5 blocks from Regions Park that could be converted to Tourney parking as well as used for other Downtown Birmingham events.
Try to make it as central as possible while making it as neutral as possible. Downtown Stadiums do have their parking issues, but there is land within 4 or 5 blocks from Regions Park that could be converted to Tourney parking as well as used for other Downtown Birmingham events.
I don’t get the need some people have to move it.
It’s very centrally located, in the SEC office backyard, fan friendly in numerous aspects, Capacity, tailgating options, free parking, huge RV lot, indoor Kid Zone, two hours from Starkville.
What else do you want other than a new stadium in an urban setting?
That’s to me is not too appealing for a 6 day, 12 team tournament.
It’s very centrally located, in the SEC office backyard, fan friendly in numerous aspects, Capacity, tailgating options, free parking, huge RV lot, indoor Kid Zone, two hours from Starkville.
What else do you want other than a new stadium in an urban setting?
That’s to me is not too appealing for a 6 day, 12 team tournament.
Those hoping for it to move shouldn’t hold their breath. Just set a new attendance record this year and averaged almost 10k per game. Aside from that, the city of Hoover really does a fantastic job putting it on. More parking than any other stadium can compete with. Venues for the fanfare and other spots catering for kids. Traffic flow is great thanks to dedicating tons of Hoover PD for the effort. Did I mention the parking is free?
Small improvements would be selling beer and better usage of scoreboards for statistics especially pitching.
As for those clamoring for Nashville, little chance that happens. The RV parking is a big deal, like it or not, but there’s little other parking. Hotels in Nashville are already at a premium and extremely high in price. Just this weekend alone, Eric Church practically shut down downtown with 80k people at his concert. Taking up all of the rooms locally. Nashville just isn’t friendly for what this event is. An affordable week for the families of LSU, MSU, OM, and Arky fans. Also, getting the Sounds to block off their schedule to host this event. And the stadium couldn’t handle the crowds. So many issues.
I say that acknowleding that Nashville is my favorite city in the world.
Small improvements would be selling beer and better usage of scoreboards for statistics especially pitching.
As for those clamoring for Nashville, little chance that happens. The RV parking is a big deal, like it or not, but there’s little other parking. Hotels in Nashville are already at a premium and extremely high in price. Just this weekend alone, Eric Church practically shut down downtown with 80k people at his concert. Taking up all of the rooms locally. Nashville just isn’t friendly for what this event is. An affordable week for the families of LSU, MSU, OM, and Arky fans. Also, getting the Sounds to block off their schedule to host this event. And the stadium couldn’t handle the crowds. So many issues.
I say that acknowleding that Nashville is my favorite city in the world.
MGM in the coast has plenty of parking and is as nice a stadium as you will find and plenty of places to stay around and be parking. It only holds 7k so they would have to figure something out about that.
Nashville will always have a big event going on Memorial Day weekend, coinciding with the tournament. Driving hotels to outrageous prices. If the point of moving the tournament to Nashville is the added entertainment value of Broadway, what’s the point if fans are having to stay in Murphreesboro?
There had to be 4000 cars parked (for free) on site at the LSU MSU game Wednesday. Where do half of those park conveniently in Nashville? If they’re Ubering from 20 miles out, that’s not convenient.
There had to be 4000 cars parked (for free) on site at the LSU MSU game Wednesday. Where do half of those park conveniently in Nashville? If they’re Ubering from 20 miles out, that’s not convenient.
The RV argument isn’t lazy. Those are the fans who set up shop on Tuesday and don’t leave until it’s over. Those are the fans who pay for the entire tournament booklet and buy the rv pass every time no matter if there team is in it or not. That is a huge factor of why it’s staying in Hoover and the powers at be know that is a big revenue maker of the sec tourney.
Every bid offered an option for the RVs from what I remember. It just wasn't right outside the stadium. Memphis offered to dedicate busses to get the RV people to AutoZone park from the designated RV area. I'm sure the other bids offered similar setups. If that isn't enough, it won't be until the Hoover is dilapidated. It is only a matter of time though. A one week a year event can't maintain a AAA style facility.
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