If you could change/update/renovate a few things at Camden Yards...what would you do?

[DrLev]

Camden Yards is, believe it or not, entering its 18th season of use this year. In fact, groundbreaking was 20 years ago this June. The place has stood the test of time very well and has seen some changes take place, with the new scoreboards and the addition of the all-you-can-eat area in the previously little-used left field club seats.

If there was one or a few things you could change about the ballpark, be they updates, renovations, or whatever, what would you do?

(Things you can't pick, because they're obvious or already in progress: Updating the sound system and getting rid of the new hotel because it blocks the skyline/alters the wind patterns/etc.)

EDIT: Oops, forgot my changes. They are: Replace the TVs on the concourses with some better, bigger, HD ones so you can actually see what's going on while you get food. Play the radio broadcast instead of the TV audio over the sound system in the concourses.

[Moose Milligan]

The skyline thing was pretty much it. Not being able to see the Bromo Seltzer tower is crap.

I'd like to see them let the ivy grow all the way up the wall in CF and leave it be. IIRC, it finally got to the top and they cut it. Leave it! Whats the point of letting it get so high or having it at all if you're just gonna cut it when it gets to the top?

[miwayjO's]

Remove the rubberized warning track in the OF and in foul territory. Replace it with a more natural dirt/clay surface...Go O's!!!

[MurphDogg]

It is really silly that they play the TV broadcasts in the concourse and it's really counter-intuitive. Most of the time you are in the concourse you can't see what is going on, so why play the commentary that assumes that you can see what is going on. The only complaint I have with Camden Yards is that unlike most stadiums that came after it, you cannot see the field from the concourse. Also, I envy the standing room areas within sections at the Phillies stadium.

[JTrea81]

The skyline thing was pretty much it. Not being able to see the Bromo Seltzer tower is crap.

I'd like to see them let the ivy grow all the way up the wall in CF and leave it be. IIRC, it finally got to the top and they cut it. Leave it! Whats the point of letting it get so high or having it at all if you're just gonna cut it when it gets to the top?

It was dead in certain spots and leaving patches of dead stuff didn't look good so they cut it back so it would be all green again.

[JTrea81]

Replace the bird weathervanes on top of the scoreboard. Those have been there since the stadium opened and are faded and look awful. Since we have a new bird, they can replace them with the 2009 bird.

And bring back the "Hit it Here" sign in CF

[Matt]

Take out the part of the center field wall that separates the outfield from the grassy area in front of the large green wall with ivy, and make that section of the field be in play.

[MurphDogg]

And bring back the "Hit it Here" sign in CF

It's interesting that two of the most beloved things about Camden Yards are/were advertisements. The "Hit it Here" sign was a $500,000 expenditure by the Maryland Lottery that hasn't existed since 1996 and the "The Sun" ad on the top of the scoreboard that was inexplicably tied to the official scorer with its blinking letters. For a stadium that has a reputation of being retro I find it interesting that two of its most charming idiosyncrasies exist(ed) for the purpose of padding the bottom line.

[RShack]

It's interesting that two of the most beloved things about Camden Yards are/were advertisements. The "Hit it Here" sign was a $500,000 expenditure by the Maryland Lottery that hasn't existed since 1996 and the "The Sun" ad on the top of the scoreboard that was inexplicably tied to the official scorer with its blinking letters. For a stadium that has a reputation of being retro I find it interesting that two of its most charming idiosyncrasies exist(ed) for the purpose of padding the bottom line.

Most honest-to-God old stadiums had signs plastered all over them.

If you go by most ancient ballparks, retro without signs isn't really retro.

[JaySpurgeon00]

In restroom, have Radio play-by-play instead of TV. They used to do this, but changed it, idiots that they are.

[Dipper9]

Take out the part of the center field wall that separates the outfield from the grassy area in front of the large green wall with ivy, and make that section of the field be in play.

I'm looking for your little smilee but don't see one. :scratchchinhmm:

OPACY is nearly perfect in every way. If I could change one thing, I'd say add Orioles Cheerleaders on top of the dugouts bwtween innings! :eektf: :laughlol:

[UpstateNYfan]

Some games played in late October and a few hanging WS banners would be a huge improvement.

As I recall, the weird grass space in the outfield was to have sod available if there was some damage to the field. I am not sure if that is still the case

[thundercleetz]

Flat-screens in the bathrooms.

[Old Beta]

Soft drinks at the concession stands that aren't 95% water.

[wildcard]

Put a contending team on the field.