Fremont City Council meeting tonight

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 10:12 AM PDT Comment 104 comments

One of the items on tonight's agenda is the consideration of a preliminary feasibility study on a Fremont-area ballpark. I'll be at the meeting. Note the last sentence in the description below:

7. REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER

7.1 PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR POSSIBLE PROPOSAL TO OAKLAND A'S

Consideration of a Preliminary Study and the Possibility of a Proposal to the Oakland Athletics Baseball Team to Locate in Fremont

Contact Person:

Name: Fred Diaz Christine S. Daniel

Title: City Manager Deputy City Manager

Dept.: City Manager's Office City Manager's Office

Phone: 510-284-4002 510-284-4008

E-Mail: fdiaz@ci.fremont.ca.us cdaniel@ci.fremont.ca.us

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to retain a consultant and conduct a preliminary feasibility study or studies to enable the Council to determine whether to make a proposal to the Oakland Athletics baseball team to locate in Fremont, should their ongoing negotiations with the City of Oakland not prove successful.

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Yeah!

I am so glad someone is going! I would like to go, but I can't make it.

I really hope Fremont would be a serious consideration if Oakland fails. I don't want to see the A's move out of the Bay Area. And since San Jose is "Giants Territory" or whatever, I think Fremont would be perfect! (Not to mention I live there and would love them being so close!) I mostly just don't want to see them go to Oregon or Vegas or to God-Knows-Where! I think it is important to keep them in the Bay Area and I am glad Fremont is stepping up and saying, "Hey, we will be your plan B."

Also, incase you get a chance to speak, I think it would be good to mention that this could bring a little excitement and fun to our city. I am tired of having to leave Fremont to have something to do. Something as simple as going to the Mall or the movies, I have to go to Newark or Milpitas! I think this will bring a lot to Fremont and it's residents.

My only concern is what they will call them! I would like them to remain the Oakland A's, regardless of where in Alameda County they land. I don't want to have another LAAAAAAAA situation on our hands. That was just embarassing for them and I don't want that to happen to our team.

But I think Fremont is a perfect plan if Oakland can't get it together!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 10:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fremont

I'm not for it because it's too far from where I live, Walnut Creek. Oakland is perfect!

Sniff, Sniff. "Who Fongpay?"

by Fongpay on Oct 11, 2005 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't even want to think of other alternatives

unless i know for sure keeping the A's in oakland is not possible.

"you know it's way cooler to be an A's fan" - billy beane to larry krueger

by gotgreen on Oct 11, 2005 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a card-carrying rabid Oakland-only guy,

but I could handle Fremont as a Plan B over all the other options I've heard bandied about.

by ArakSOT on Oct 11, 2005 11:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Even over Portland?

Think of the possibilities: granola at the concession stand? A forest of majestic trees in left field? What could be better?

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Oct 11, 2005 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the A's move to Portland

Swisher will get busted for smoking pot, and Crosby will be arrested for abusing pit bulls. Who needs a baseball version of the Jailblazers?

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 11, 2005 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no kidding...

my buddy up in Portland ended up adopting one of those abused pits...

by high street on Oct 11, 2005 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What are you talking about?

Abusing Pit Bulls?? What is my boy doing that I don't know about?

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reference to Qyntel Woods

Abusing pit bulls was how he ran afoul of the law when a Portland TrailBlazer. You can pick pretty much any TrailBlazer of the last few years for the pot-smoking reference.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 11, 2005 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh ok...

Sorry, that one just went right over my head.

It's ok, I am going to use my once daily "I'm Blond!" excuse for today! =D

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take Fremont over SJ

as long as there is bart. Basically, i agree with ArakSOT

"I dont know what I'm yelling about!Loud Noises!" "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Oct 11, 2005 11:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

me too!

"you know it's way cooler to be an A's fan" - billy beane to larry krueger

by gotgreen on Oct 11, 2005 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your cards are in the mail!

by ArakSOT on Oct 11, 2005 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This seems more possible than Oakland

I'd much prefer Oakland, but they might be the slowest city in the US (outside of Boston) in terms of local government getting things done.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 11, 2005 11:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is the Council meeting...

...only open to residents of Fremont? Because I live in Redwood City, so if they wanted to hear from "out of towners" who would love to come and drop some $$$ into the Fremont economy in order to see the A's play there (if not Oakland)...

by Poppy on Oct 11, 2005 12:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's open to all

Come on down. The ballpark item is near the end of the agenda, so it probably won't be brought up right away.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You aren't on the coucil by any chance?

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Afraid not...

I work in Fremont and occasionally attend these types of meetings all over the Bay Area. This time it's for the ballpark blog.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it matters...

If you want to show support, you should go. I am still trying to work it out so I can go myself. I will at least be TiVoing it. It will be shown on Channel 27, at least for people in the Fremont Area.

I think the important thing is to show that we want the A's to stay in the Bay Area. If Lew Wolf and Fremont Council can at least see that, they might work even hard to make it happen.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's no way the A's build in Oakland

Lew's proposal to Oakland was just some fluff so that when the team moves no one can say, "He didn't try." Oakland absolutely can not afford the A's.

The best chance for Oakland Area A's fans is Fremont. It's in Alameda County, very close to the San Jose fan base, and also very close to any Palo Alto/Menlo Park fan base, via the Dumbarton. It's seemingly a perfect location with the exception that it's contrary to the recent trend of downtown ballparks.

I currently live five minutes from the Coliseum and would love nothing more than the A's to remain in Oakland, but it's simply not going to happen. This is our closest opportunity.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My dream idea

which obviously wouldn't work would be to replace the golden gate horse tracks, on the water, with a new stadium. It's actually quite a big area. It's right off the Buchanan St Exit off the 580 in Albany California, and the El Cerrito bart is 10 minutes walk away. Convert the surrounding area that isn't already parking into parking, and this is great! This is, of course, a pipe dream. Oh well. Here are some pics:

http://www.drf.com/images/gg_map.gif
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Sites/GGF%5B1%5D.jpg
http://www.aricraft.com/ggf1.jpg (takes time to load)
http://www.aricraft.com/ggf2.jpg (also takes time)

After looking at those, don't you think they could fit a small ballpark into those confines?

"I dont know what I'm yelling about!Loud Noises!" "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Oct 11, 2005 1:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No Fan Base

This is even farther away from the big fan base of the South Bay. In order for a new stadium to prosper, there must be huge corporate sponsorship. With a new ballpark close to San Jose, large corporations such as eBay, Cisco, Intel, etc., would all buy suites and (hopefully) huge billboards, etc. El Cerrito can't match that.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

i'm just dreaming. I wasn't serious about this, but that would be the coolest thing ever for me

"I dont know what I'm yelling about!Loud Noises!" "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Oct 11, 2005 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Jose Athletics of Fremont???

Only if they can rename us the "San Jose Athletics of Freemont, previously of Oakland, a.k.a. Oaktown".

Whenever I hear about possible new stadiums or locations for the team, I always wonder if these moves are motivated by the ability to move to a new location or the projected attendance values in a new location. If the city of Fremont welcomed the team with an attractive stadium offer, would we actually project a greater attendance? Is moving the stadium 15/20 minutes closer to SJ/PA going to make a dramatic difference in the attendance from fans from those areas? Also consider that this would move the stadium 15/20 minutes further away from a lot of people and that there is currently no bart option between SJ/PA and Fremont. I don't understand how the net gain will be so significantly large. A stadium built in Fremont will likely resemble the existing colliseum just newer and cleaner. It won't have the cool neighborhood atmosphere that causes those silicon valley-ites to flock to SBC or HP pavillion. Is a newer cleaner stadium enough to convince the masses to come see the A's? I don't have a personal problem if the A's move to Fremont, but I just don't see how its going to dramatically boost attendance.

by panchopunch on Oct 11, 2005 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You would build Wolff's whole idea there

The ballpark would be surrounded by a "baseball village" that would include a lot of other reasons to visit, and would also have a significant number of people living on site. It's actually probably more attractive to Fremont than it is to Oakland, because it's easier for them to give up the land.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 11, 2005 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Newer and Cleaner" isn't all...

Much nicer and far more Suites for the big corporate dollars. Much smaller capacity (33,000 - 35,000) thus creating a lack of supply and therefore high demand. Better asthetics. Seats way closer to the field. Elimination of the third deck. And yes, a stadium this nice moved 30 (not 15-20 as you say) minutes closer to San Jose would attract thousands of new fans. It's not like their picking up the craphole Coliseum and moving it down 880.

And, It's not only 30 minutes closer, but in terms of % of driving time, San Jose residents go from a 50 minute drive (in traffic) to a 20 minute drive. That's a huge decrease.

Bart wouldn't be needed for the San Jose fan base. It would only be needed for the Oakland and Dublin/Pleasanton fan base.

And to hit on your other point about downtown ballparks, yes, this would be different from that mold. But Lew Wolfe is a big time developer, and I can envision him building and entire neighborhood.

Fremont makes sense.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OOPS!

I hate typos...

Change "their" to "they're" and "Wolfe" to "Wolff"

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BART will be a factor

The BART Warm Springs extension, which would run right by the projected site, was scheduled to be in operation by 2010. But the federal funds requested for the extension did not materialize in the recent transportation bill, so it's unclear when it'll open. There's one other bit of complexity in that this BART extension is dependent on the BART-to-San Jose extension being built as well, albeit later on down the road.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Downtown Ball Park

Fremont has been looking to create a Downtown. They call Mowry their Downtown, but it isn't!!

I think this plan has a lot to do with the idea that Fremont needs a Downtown, entertainment center to the city. I think this is the perfect thing to accomplish that goal!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure about that

I grew up in Fremont, and I cant imagine that city having a downtown type area. Fremont is mostly all housing and suburbia. There are some businesses and development in warm springs area but most of that is industrial/tech/manufacturing.

If there was anything remotely close to downtown its gotta be right on fremont blvd and peralta. There used to be an old time theater there ages ago.

I agree with everyone stating if it cant be Oakland, then Fremont is the next best thing. BART is the most essential part of any plan. I dont think the city of Fremont would try and attach Fremont to any team name. I would think they would be happy enough with the added revenue. Who knows though, I havent lived there for almost 10 years so Im not sure how much the city has changed.

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was my point

It DOESN'T have a downtown. I have been living in Fremont my whole life (with the exception of living at SJSU for a few years, but now I am back)They have been talking and talking and talking about developing one, but with no success. They tried to make it the Mowry, Fremont Hub Area, but that just didn't work. Now they have this shopping area just off AutoMall and 880 which is sort of coming close, but it is more of a Macarthy Ranch Part II. The plan, from what I saw of the drawings, that Lew is proposing would be really great on the Numi sight. There is plenty of space on both sides of the rail road tracks that would be developed in such a way that it could be very profitable for Fremont. And BART would run right through the middle of it. Which would be wonderful and essential to the whole plan.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I just didnt know they were even thinking of a downtown type area.

As far as entertainment, I cant imagine it as anything but boring. Its all about families and suburbia. It would be cool if they had some places to go to. I remember there was a nightclub on Fremont Blvd that opened, that same week someone got shot there and the place was shut down.

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I remember that...

That was up near the border of Newark.

Now they have the Saddle Rack! Which is actually kinda fun, but it is another point that my friends get when they say I am from Hickville!

But speaking of the Saddle Rack, I could totally see Swish and Blanton over there after games! How fun would that be!! I would be willing to bet that place will be packed after games! I know I would be there!!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

But that would be a pretty major change from the current plan to build a downtown in the middle of the area roughly bordered by Mowry, Paseo Padre, Fremont and Walnut.

http://www.ci.fremont.ca.us/Business/BusinessDistricts/DowntownBusinessDistrict.htm

by peanut gallery on Oct 11, 2005 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For San Jose Fans

I think it would make a big difference. I think there are a lot of people living in San Jose who are borderline fans. (I know this because I lived there for a while and went to SJSU, so I have talked to a number of SJ A's Fans about this) They don't go to games because it is just too hard. They want to, but physically can't. The drive to Oakland takes an hour on a GOOD traffic night. Two if you get stuck somewhere. But if you take BART, yes it makes life and parking easier, but it is still 30-45 minutes to BART, then another 40 on BART to get to the game.

For San Jose Fans, especially ones who work during the week, it just isn't worth it when you can go home and watch it on TV. But if the stadium was on the edge of Silicon Valley it would make a HUGE difference to those people who live and work there.

You see, there is also a large Pleasanton and Livermore demographic that would benifit from the Fremont option as well. I would be willing to bet that weekday attendance would go up dramatically. All those folks who live in Pleasanton and work in Silicon Valley would see it as a more convinient option to stop over at the ball park for a game on the way home from work than to trek all the way up to Oakland then double back to Pleasanton.

Plus the added benifit of having so much corporate support in the Silicon Valley. Where they are proposing, you have NUMI right next door, (it might even be their property, but I am not sure) so Toyota would most likely get a huge chunk of the corporate sponsorship, if not naming rights to the ball park. You also have the automalls that are right near by. Then you have major High Tech Companies like Cisco and SUN Micro just down the street. Most likely, they would be in the market to have events, parties and ticket give aways for employees at the ball park. There are so many companies, I think it might be hard to imagine if you live outside Silicon Valley, but a lot of people keep talking about Corporate Sponsorship and Support for the A's to get attendance up. Well, Silicon Valley would be perfect for that. They should be a first priority marketing target if the move does happen.

Honestly, I think moving them to Fremont is a great idea. I want them to stay in Oakland, but if they can't, which it is starting to look more and more like they can't, then Fremont is a brilliant idea.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clarification

Part of the site is NUMMI property. NUMMI has some very preliminary plans to build a warehouse there, but it depends on if it's cost effective - warehousing in the Bay Area is expensive. Toyota is a good bet as a naming rights sponsor, but GM is probably even better because they too have a stake in NUMMI and their image in the Bay Area needs it more than Toyota. Both companies have naming rights to arenas - GM Place in Vancouver, Toyota Center in Houston (which is fabulous, btw).

I completely agree about attracting more San Jose fans. There would still be people scared off by the afternoon freeway situation, but it could cut at much as 30 minutes off the travel time for Silicon Valley fans compared to Oakland. If BART comes to San Jose, it would be even easier.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Coming from San Jose its a brutal drive up 880 to go all the way to Oakland. I would think that its just as bad a drive to Pac Bell, no?

I think the high tech companies could be a huge as far as luxury boxes and such.

I didnt even think about it but your right about pleasonton area folks. 680 would run right next to any proposed ballpark area I'd assume.

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as BART is there...

I'm out in Dublin and take BART to the games. As long as there's a BART option, I'd be OK with SJ. :)

by anomaly_kat on Oct 11, 2005 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but

SBC is right next to the CalTrain Depot and many people in SJ use CalTrain to go to the City.

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Oct 11, 2005 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fremont location has great potential...

... for establishing a secure fan base for the A's given local deomograhics.

In my opinion, the original Oakland Raider fan base from the 6o's until they originally left was the most stable of any bay area franchise. Every game was on TV, and in fact NBC carried most Raider games nationally b/c of the team's success in the 70's. The more recent fan base is more closely identified with the LA Raider fan base. Unfortunately this has scared corporate sponsorship to some degree.

With an attractive ballpark in a good location, there is no reason that the team couldn't attract a fan base based upon multiple types of season ticket plans that will help the team to draw near capacity. With the success of the team from year to year. They just might create a season ticket base as stable as what we saw in Oakland in by gone days.

by Gerard on Oct 11, 2005 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Yes it would, IF there is easy acess and it is state of the art the fans will come.

by Z on Oct 12, 2005 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fremont A's of Oakland

It's nice to see a city taking proactive steps of acquiring our team. San Jose, unfortunately is aced out of the picture by MaGowan and MLB.

Alameda Greg summarizes well Fremont's: location to the S. Bay, greater atractability to corporate sponsors, BART access.

I would add great climate, lack of Oakland politics to stymie development and vision to how the A's would add to local commerce.

Oakland is and always will be the hub of the Bay Area, unfortunately its political history will continue to be a hindrance to its future. If the A's remain, great, if not, Fremont is a fabulous alternative.

by Gerard on Oct 11, 2005 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Especially if

Ron Dellums is elected.

On the other hand, it really doesn't matter who's elected. It'll be the same old shit with a different leader...

by sf drift king on Oct 12, 2005 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

where is the money coming from??

It's nice to speculate and all, but basically someone has to spend the money to free up the land so that Wolff and Fisher can then spend their money.

Will Fremont really do that?? Will the stadium truly be 100% privately financed other than the various costs associated with the land acquisition?

Are you gaining that much by moving 20 miles South compared to the 20 miles further North Bay, Sacramento and even most East bay residents have to travel??

I still believe Las vegas is the ultimate destination It makes too much sense. Corporate money galore; huge potential fan base counting both the population growth and the tourists; intact market.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Oct 11, 2005 3:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fremont Is Realistic If...

... multiple factors come into play. They include issues such as city owned property, access to freeways, businesses, BART etc. I don't know much about Fremont's budget but I can't imagine that their issues are as bad as Oakland's. Wolf has access to deep enough pockets where contributions from the A's ownership shouldn't be a holdup.

The issue of remaining within the Bay Area vs. Sacramento is actually pretty big. Our TV market alone is, I believe #5 in the country. Moving to Sac is a money loss in terms of potential revenues generated. Teams don't go from larger to smaller markets. That's economic suicide to many.

Vegas is not attractive. Sticking a team out in the desert has been done and I am not seeing a land rush to follow the DBacks ever since they opened shop. Gambling issues given MLB history is an area I don't think Selig would be too excited about either.

by Gerard on Oct 11, 2005 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vegas will not happen

unless all Nevada casinos agree to take all A's games off the board.

Corporations galore? You mean casinos? They would be advertising to people already there, which is missing the point. Casinos will not encourage their guests to leave the property, even for a 3 hour game.

A decent sized market, but one that has not proven themselves on the big league level. UNLV had its run (18 dates per season at 20,000) under Tark 15 years ago and the AAA team has poor attendance. Mayor Goodman is all-talk, shady past.

Vegas is perfect for the NBA All-Star game every two years or so, but not for the long term prospect of an MLB franchise.

Come on Toon, you're smarter than that.

by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 11, 2005 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never in Vegas

MLB (nor the NBA nor NFL) will ever move to Vegas. Corruption is too much a perceived issue. And, with the game's most prolific hitter being banned from the game forever and blacklisted from the Hall of Fame for Gambling, do you think for one second they'll move to Las Vegas under that type of scrutiny? Not a chance.

Also, Portland flat out sucks. This is why Fremont is the most viable option.

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I live in Vegas, and I've railed on this many, many times.

It will NEVER happen.

Far too many casino millions at stake. The very mention of pro sports here makes the casino bosses squirm.

The number of people living here from places like Chicago and New York is absolutely mind-boggling.

If you think it's bad now when the Yankees or Red Sox come to Oakland, it would be an absolutely embarassment when almost all of the east coast teams come here to play.

From a fan support standpoint, the A's would play the equivilant of 115-120 home games.

MLB will never allow it. They will let the A's movfe to San Jose before they let them move to Vegas.

`I think every morning I wake up I'm a little dazed. For some reason, I'm used to hitting things with my head.' - Eric Byrnes - 6/25/05

by nodaclu on Oct 11, 2005 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember too...

...that although Wolff hasn't said too much throughout this whole process, he has been eerily consistent on this point:

*Oakland first - Alameda County second*

He ALWAYS mentions Alameda County whenever possible locations are discussed. He never mentions Oakland and just leaves it at that.

I think that something can be read into that. ;-)

I wouldn't be shocked if Wolff has a few influential people in Fremont, just waiting to attack this if the city of Oakland can't deliver.

I may be moving back to Sacramento soon, so it would be a longer drive for me, but I'd still go more simply becuase I would feel safe hanging around the surrounding areas after a game.

(But that's a subject for another thread.) ;-)

`I think every morning I wake up I'm a little dazed. For some reason, I'm used to hitting things with my head.' - Eric Byrnes - 6/25/05

by nodaclu on Oct 11, 2005 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where's the &^%%^ Edit Button!!!

Aaargh....

Among my several typos, I meant that the A's would play the equivalent of 115-120 ROAD games per year, as A's fans would be outnumbered by the road teams fans whenever ANY east coast team came to town to play.

`I think every morning I wake up I'm a little dazed. For some reason, I'm used to hitting things with my head.' - Eric Byrnes - 6/25/05

by nodaclu on Oct 11, 2005 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

east coast a's

why not just move the a's back to to east coast? how about the connecticut a's or a return to phily? :)

by conmack on Oct 11, 2005 3:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Someone...Get a Rope!!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

I am curious to know why San Jose is constantly mentioned as a possibility for the A's when baseball has made it perfectly clear that it's not going to happen? Can anyone shed some light on this topic?

My two cents-- Sacramento will be a VERY successful place for the A's but I sure hope that they don't ever have to move from the Oakland area. I mean it beats the crap out of Las Vegas (or Oregon?) and Blez could get a lot more interviews if he lives in the same city.

"The first thing I realized in this game, there are no weekends."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Oct 11, 2005 3:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

whos mentioning SJ

this thread is about Fremont. Fremont is in Alameda County.

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Above but mainly beyond

It's mentioned above in this thread but mainly as Fremont being better than SJ or that it should be very close to SJ. There have been several times that SJ has been brought up and I just wondered if there was some sort of power play that I was unaware of for moving to SJ? About a year ago I heard that the A's could ignore the territory rules by just completing the plan and thought maybe was during the time that people were believing that Wolff would get a favorable ruling from his old buddy Frog Selig.

"The first thing I realized in this game, there are no weekends."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Oct 11, 2005 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A power play in San Jose? Maybe....

San Jose is acquiring the land and got Selig to visit a month ago. He said the typical status quo stuff, and no San Jose proponent I heard afterwards came away discouraged. I'll just put it this way: the only real experts on territorial rights are in the commissioner's office. They don't post on message boards.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

San Jose needs a power play

Only 16% so far in the season.

Opening night tommorow!

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another question...

Does anyone think that San Jose would be a viable location for both SF & Oak to not only co-exist but thrive? If so, maybe Selig could pull some Baltimore/Washington b.s., compensate SF dearly and then let the A's build a park in SJ!

"The first thing I realized in this game, there are no weekends."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Oct 12, 2005 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't...

the Giants veto a move to Fremont?

*Don't tell the Raiders, either. Just leave Mt Davis at the site, with a note: "We believe this is yours, Al. Enjoy! - AN"* - calgbear

by Jjjsixsix on Oct 11, 2005 4:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No

Fremont is in Alameda County and therefore in A's territory as defined by MLB. That's the main point of this thread (to get you up to speed).

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 11, 2005 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Go Get 'em AG!

by Gerard on Oct 11, 2005 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but i /know/

I read on AN somewhere (maybe in July?) that one (I think the Auto Mall) location in Fremont was within X miles from SCC, and therefore, the Gnats could veto it because the X mile distance would constitute of infringement of territorial rights?

I could be totally wrong, but I was under that conception since the summer.

*Don't tell the Raiders, either. Just leave Mt Davis at the site, with a note: "We believe this is yours, Al. Enjoy! - AN"* - calgbear

by Jjjsixsix on Oct 12, 2005 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted that

I think the rule may still exist, but I doubt it would be enforced in this case, though you never know. Baseball seems to make this stuff up as they go. Technically the A's could have used the rule when the Giants moved to SBC because it's less than 15 miles from Oakland, but any challenge wouldn't have passed muster.

by vertig0 on Oct 12, 2005 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It isn't Santa Clara

Therefore they have no claim to it. And that is what it comes down to.

Plus the NUMI location is probably the better one, just from what I know of the area. It is in middle of 680 and 880 and the rail road is right next to it. If they went with the AutoMall location, it would be too far from the BART line and would only have direct access to 880. You would have to drive a little bit through town to get to 680. So the NUMI spot makes the most sense.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 12, 2005 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great idea

I'm glad Fremont finally woke up and realize what kind of opportunity this will be for them. Since BART goes directly to Fremont, there is viable public transportation. I, for one, would like to see it built near 680 side, since 880 is so congested. An extension to BART along that section shouldn't be difficult. As for the naming, may i suggest we pull a Angel on them and call the Athletic's:

California A's (of Fremont) ;)

Billy Beane: "....it's way cooler to be an a's fan". Larry Kreuger: "....but i like our old decripity eroding worse tomorrow then they are today team"

by ST on Oct 11, 2005 5:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How about

the "SoCal Sucks A's of Oakland"?

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 11, 2005 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

East Bay A's!

by KEVINfromCV on Oct 12, 2005 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Council Approved it!!

Ok, it is only a preliminary study to see if it will work out, but they did approve it, 5-0! So the ball is officially rolling!

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2005 7:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Most exciting news

for a couple weeks now! Now hopefully Ron Washington will be made manager and Carney Lansford will then be deemed the hitting coach. Go A's!

I am no longer easily distracted by those AVP advertisements

by franks a lot on Oct 11, 2005 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

right on

thanks for the update!

by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2005 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

More details at the ballpark blog

Ballpark Blog

The vote was mostly a formality, but there were some good tidbits that came out of the discussion.

by vertig0 on Oct 11, 2005 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm....

"Let's Go FRE-MONT" <clap><clap><clap><clapclapclap>

enh.

Well at least it would be Bart-able... but I like Ohad's idea best.

by miguel on Oct 11, 2005 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fremont works.

I mean, 'Fremont A's' is just a HORRIBLE name (nothing will be as melodius as 'Oakland A's'!), but... yeah. If Oakland doesn't work out, I think Fremont would be my favorite backup plan. I hate the idea of it, but it's definitely better than any other location. It'd certainly be the most accessible for the existing Bay Area fanbase, and be closer to SJ to draw them in.

...And then I'd have a reason to LIKE Fremont, which would be nice. At this point, my entire association with it is that when you're coming up 880, traffic ALWAYS starts right at the 'Welcome to Fremont' sign.

If Wolff chooses Fremont if the Oakland deal falls through, I'm so there. Though hopefully they'll take some time to realize the look of the outfield buildings in the prelim plan is OMGUGLY.

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Oct 11, 2005 10:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with both you and Kevin (above)

The Fremont A's -- no offense to anyone who lives there -- just has no poetic ring to it, not to mention that it's just not the same kind of city as most others in MLB. "The New York Yankees vs. the Fremont A's" sounds like a pre-season exhibition game between the Yankees and a AAA team. Fremont would merely be the location, but the team would belong to its territory. So I'd like the East Bay A's, or something using Alameda County (only if they kept the "county" part), which also sounds bush-league, but in a more endearing way.

username

by spal on Oct 12, 2005 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

East Bay A's actually has a nice ring to it.

That sounds like a great suggestion -- definitely something that could grow into respectability.

Though I assume Fremont will require Fremont as a part of the team name. :-/

"Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic." -Robert S. Wieder

by Kyli on Oct 12, 2005 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really want them

to stay in oakland but if its not possible then i guess fremont wouldnt be too bad... but it just wont be the same if we have to chant "lets go fremont"...* shudders *.... i like the stadium we play in... but thats just me...

"A lot of teams don't like our crowds, and that's good for us. I love that other teams find them unnerving." ~ Bobby Crosby

by CrosbysGirl510 on Oct 11, 2005 10:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is...

...the general area that makes the most sense to me. The East Bay, i.e., Richmond to San Leandro will not/cannot support this team. The attendance figures have proven it over and over again. Wolff knows this. He also knows Oakland has NO money to spend on anything. The downtown area has deteriorated to the point where I believe they have one department store, if Sears is still there.

So, the Fremont area works because it draws from Alameda, Contra Costa and San Jose counties. The team will draw from the Vallejo/Napa area, too. They will draw better from the Central Valley, too. The big corporations have pretty much left Oakland and moved to the Contra Costa - San Jose area, so that sponsorship will help.

Now, do I think it will happen? Probably not in Fremont, but this brings the focus to the area where the club belongs. As for the name, call them the Oakland A's - who cares?

by doubleplayer on Oct 12, 2005 8:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Downtown

Actually, Sears is still there, and the Men's Warehouse and Gap have moved into prominent downtown locations within the last 3-4 years.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 12, 2005 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fremont would be a great location

As close to Santa Clara County as possible to stick it in the Giants A@$%^^. As for the name, the Jets and Giants play in New Jersey and they're still New York. It still could be the Oakland A's playing at "Cisco Field in Fremont".

by Reggie on Oct 12, 2005 10:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cisco Field

I kinda like that, has a nice ring to it! Cisco Field of Fremont, I could totally get behind that.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 12, 2005 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cisco Field of Fremont

Kind of sounds like an old singing cowboy

by ArakSOT on Oct 12, 2005 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy!!

Well, the only really fun thing to do here is the Saddle Rack, so it makes sense!!

At least we know Swish will fit right in! =)

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 12, 2005 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh

the Saddle Rack.

Go to the line dancing lessons, get in for free.

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Oct 12, 2005 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about...

somthing that can represent both the A's and Fremont, something like...

Dennis Ecksersley Field

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Oct 12, 2005 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh great Idea...

..because he can afford $30 million over five years?

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Oct 12, 2005 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish naming rights didn't exist

I hate the name of my team's home field changing every three years. But I'm sure we'll be Cisco Field, or Kaiser Park, or Siebel Stadium, or something nauseating like that.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 12, 2005 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who ever gets naming rights should...

Submit it to the fans. Let fans send in name suggestions, then they can take like the top 10 favorites and let the fans vote. That way, the company that gets the rights knows that they won't be one of those company that gets made fun of for naming their stadium after themselves, cause the fans will have been the ones to decide on the name. It is a great marketing strategy and will bring a lot of attention to the fact that they are getting a new stadium. Plus the company will appear to be fan friendly, not just money hungry! Just a thought.

"We play our best ball when we're goofing around and having a good time" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 12, 2005 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You want something more traditional?

Like Busch Stadium or Wrigley Field?

username

by spal on Oct 12, 2005 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly

Those are named after companies too, of course. At least those names have endured, though, and don't change every year.

I like ballpark names that reference the city history, or the outlying geography. Fenway Park, Camden Yards, Chavez Ravine (unofficial, admittedly)--those are some of my favorites.

If the A's built a stadium uptown, I'd like Temescal Park. Currently proposed location--Fruitvale Field.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 12, 2005 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All right

So Fremont can do what SF did with SBC and name whatever road/street/plaza the Stadium is on after the Eck so the Address would be something like this

Fremont Athletics Baseball Company
1 Dennis Eckersley Plaza
Fremont, CA 94538

"Damn kids" -Ron Flores

by secret ASian man on Oct 12, 2005 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

naming rights

how bout the Google Plex?

by vk on Oct 12, 2005 1:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As those things go

Not too shabby.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Oct 12, 2005 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

... at Chevron Station

The best conkers to play with are uncracked, firm and symmetrical. Make a hole through the middle of your chosen conker.

by monkeyball on Oct 12, 2005 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The California Athletics?

Could happen. It'll never be "Fremont Athletics".

MJB

by MJB on Oct 12, 2005 11:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

we can still...

call them the Oakland Athletics. As a matter of fact, they damn well better be called the Oakland Athletics or i'll have to beat the crap out of someone. The Detroit Pistons are about 45 minutes away from Detroit in Auburn Hills. The Lakers used to play 20 minutes away in Inglewood. New York Jets/Giants not even in the same state. So yeah, as long as they stay in the east bay, dont' change their name and NEVER EVER change the uniform...our uniforms are become classics like the Yanks and Red Sox and should never be touched. Hopefully Wolff doesn't try to pull some marketing gimic if and when a new stadium opens by changing colors/logos/unis...that would piss me off.

by rsur5 on Oct 13, 2005 2:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I don't think Fremont would insist on being in the name. And if they did undergo a name change, I'll help you beat the crap out of somebody. In fact, I can think of somebody specific that would make it a truly cathartic experiencce.

by ArakSOT on Oct 13, 2005 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs