Stadiums Usa Radio

A new report shows more stadiums across the country are reinforcing their Wi-Fi systems, ensuring fans can surf the web at their favorite sporting event. Paul Kapustka of Mobile Sports Report says technological advances will help when ordering concessions or hailing a cab from your stadium seat. Plus, Paul just toured the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and says it is like no other! Later, former Giants Stadium Manager Bill Squires has a post-script on the cancellation of the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Squires dives into the science of synthetic turf. Our Talking Shop segment examines ticket price fluctuations when new stadiums are built and how the tailgating experience is changing at Mississippi State. 

Mike Acosta goes to the ballpark everyday and pinches himself. As the historian and authentication manager for the Houston Astros, Mike gets to sift through stadium memorabilia dating back to the Astrodome. Mike reflects back on the night the dome experienced baseball's first ever "rain-in." Our Talking Shop segment looks at a new playing surface for the Baltimore Ravens; how the NFL is getting serious about field surfaces across the league; and what hockey fans are saying about the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

How do ticket prices compare across Major League Baseball? What about concessions and parking? Chris Leyden of SeatGeek joins us to talk about a new interactive tool called the Baseball Cost Estimator that allows fans to shop for ballpark bargains. Later, more NFL teams are staying close to home for training camps. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report looks at economic factors changing the fan experience at training camp sites. And Stadiums USA's Mark Madorin looks at fallout from the NBA yanking the All-Star out of Charlotte and what changes are on the way for Penn State's Beaver Stadium.

It remains a tradition for many at the ballpark- the ritual of score keeping.  Baseball historian and author Paul Dickson looks at the origins of score keeping and its evolution into an art form in the digital age. Later, a view of the ballpark through the eyes of big league umpire Dave Pallone.  Pallone talks about umpiring the first night game at Wrigley Field and and takes us behind the plate on historic nights for Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan. Our Talking Shop segment takes peek behind the curtain at new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis; a preview of major renovations at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa; and a trek across the country to NFL training camp sites.  

At the top of many ballpark lists is PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Baseball writer Joe Sheehan talks about his recent trip to the Steel City and enthusiastically describes how the stadium is an integral part of the city landscape. Later, we sit in the best seat at Dodger Stadium with MLB statistician and official scorer Don Hartack. Don talks about the pressures of deciding between a hit or error, and shares some great stories of famed broadcaster Vin Scully. Our Talking Shop segment looks at items being auctioned off at the Los Angeles Sports Arena; what stadium sites are viable in Las Vegas for the Raiders; and what Commissioner Rob Manfred has to say about the A's chances of staying in Oakland. 

Only 6,000 fans attended the final Brooklyn Dodgers game at Ebbets Field. Just more than 11,000 New York Giants fans said goodbye to the historic Polo Grounds. Neil deMause of Field of Schemes has chronicled the strange swan songs of ballparks of yesteryear.  Including how the White Sox started the trend of marketing stadium goodbyes.  Later, we take a nostalgic ride in from the bullpen in the long forgotten bullpen car.  Writer Paul Lukas looks back on the trend that saw relief pitchers hitching a ride to the mound and how some teams are looking to bring bullpen cars back.  Our Talking Shop segment examines expansion and renovation at the Pro Football Hall of Fame; how Southwest Airlines is flying against a Raiders stadium in Las Vegas; and a new plan to keep the Houston Astrodome alive.

The "Star Spangled Banner" didn't become our national anthem until 1931. But two decades before that, we began to sing it before sporting events. Michael Gibbons of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum checks in with the fascinating story of how the Bambino is tied to the origins of the song at baseball games. Plus, we break down the logistics of NHL expansion into Las Vegas with Bleacher Report National Columnist Adrian Dater. Dater examines the Vegas sports market and looks at Commissioner Gary Bettman's role in the growth of the league. 

They are still celebrating in Cleveland, as LeBron James and the Cavaliers are champions of the basketball world. We welcome in the former longtime voice of the Cavs, Joe Tait. The Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Award winner reflects on the city's first NBA Championship and talks about some of the iconic arenas he worked in during his brilliant broadcasting career.

The basketball world lost one of its own recently with the death of former University of Arizona standout and NBA veteran Sean Rooks. We'll listen back to a Stadiums USA conversation taped two years ago as Rooks reflects on the atmosphere of UA's McKale Center in Tuscon. Later, Stadiums USA President Mark Madorin exmaines NHL expansion in Las Vegas; how the Tampa Bay Rays are looking to change the entire ballpark experience; and a history lesson on Ladies Day promotions in Major League Baseball.

Has there ever been a more fascinating time to follow the economics of sport? Escalating player salaries, billion dollar stadiums and growing broadcast rights fees are driving the conversation. We dive into stadium money with Drexel University Sports Management Professor Joel Maxcy. Later, Stadiums USA President Mark Madorin looks at NFL stadiums dilemmas in Oakland and Buffalo. Plus, how the Houston Astrodome robbed Mike Schmidt back in 1974. 

There are those who travel the country in search of the ultimate ballpark experience, and then there is Graham Knight. Graham has seen more than 250 games in hundreds of ballparks across the country.  And he has chronicled it all on his web site- baseball pilgrimages.com  We tour the great stadiums of America with the ultimate baseball traveler. 

This weekend the sporting world turns it attention to the Brickyard for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Author Lew Freedman's new book examines the history of the race and traces the many changes at the iconic race track. Voters in Arlington, Texas go to the polls this fall to vote on a new one billion dollar ballpark for the Rangers. Neil deMause of Field of Schemes checks in with his thoughts on the fast-track process and the decision to replace a stadium that is only 22 years old.

He was the first ballplayer to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. He famously played stellar defense by crashing into the outfield wall at Boston’s Fenway Park. Former Red Sox standout Fred Lynn details roaming center field at ballparks across the Major Leagues. Hear about his influence in getting outfield padding installed at Fenway.