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Post by moose on Sept 26, 2011 7:52:15 GMT 10
Well at least they are getting the ground ready for the season with the cows, horses or maybe motorcycles roaring around the ground. All we need now is lots of rain and the surface will be like normal... a disgrace. As has been said elsewhere the perfect theme song for the Aces is "sounds of silence"... an oldie but goodie. Neil W
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Post by lonewolf75 on Sept 26, 2011 8:56:05 GMT 10
Well, I survived the show. Didnt find the Ace's stall or the pitching tunnel. must say though that I didnt get to all areas, was mainly around the kids stuff. Alot of stuff happening on the Aces ground. Yesterday was only day two and it didnt look too bad. If we get any rain and then eight more days of events and I will be worried.
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Post by stuartcapel on Sept 26, 2011 9:43:56 GMT 10
As I understand it, the surface will be re-laid come the end of the show. Measurements have apparently already been made to show where the cut-outs etc need to be so given a decent month of weather, the surface should be OK.
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Post by trober on Sept 26, 2011 16:04:20 GMT 10
Just home from work to find my aces tickets in the mail. I have only scanned the letter sent with them but it looks like member packs will be collected at the games
I have also heard that the field will be re surfaced after the show and there will be no other events during the summer which, if accurate is fantastic news.
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rooboy
Junior Member
Posts: 15
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Post by rooboy on Sept 26, 2011 16:35:07 GMT 10
Found the Aces stall okay, it over looks the ground along the first base line and the pitching tunnel is down the other end of the show grounds. Apparently we have having a new? revamped logo on the yet to arrive merchandise as well.
Interested to see the seating chart with licensed and non licensed areas this year. If I recall the first base lines will be licensed and the third base side non licensed.
Also heard the field config will be same with containers etc but home plate is going back 15 feet to lenghten it out. Heard the same about the grass that it was to be relaid straight after the show.
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Post by stuartcapel on Sept 26, 2011 16:40:20 GMT 10
I received my tickets today as well. At least this is something on the positive side.
Good news - the pre-season games at Geelong are free for ticketed members. I'm thinking of the reason this wouldn't have been mentioned in newsletter last week and cannot think of one.
That membership packs, which in July were supposedly to be completed by early September will now not be available until November 11th (unless they have arranged for them to be at Geelong in pre-season, available at Aces office, or at the season launch) is below average. Just come out and say there's a problem and what that problem is. Don't say one thing and then expect all members to simply rollover and accept delays without explaination. Surely a bit of transparancy isn't too much to ask.
Let us just hope this isn't a repeat of the caps fiasco.
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Post by deadfish on Sept 27, 2011 8:43:57 GMT 10
...Also heard the field config will be same with containers etc but home plate is going back 15 feet to lenghten it out. Heard the same about the grass that it was to be relaid straight after the show. Yikes! I hope not. I'm all for a deeper home-run fence, but home plate is very close to the fence as is - get much further back and the plate umpire will be calling from the front row. I'd rather things stay where they are than lose any more foul territory. I've heard there will be extra height on the "Blue Monster" and to me, short of actually expanding the main arena, that's the best solution to the real cheap shots.
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Post by stuartcapel on Sept 27, 2011 8:57:14 GMT 10
For home plate to go back fifteen feet, if the drainage is still the same as last year, then poor Goodo and his mates will have to call the game in a pair of Wellies!
In reality, I can think of only three or four cheap shots that constituted, according to a most wise man, the "Boom of Doom". Hashimoto's only jack was one and Kamei's last one in the final game against Brisbane was another, but with that last one of Kamei, that we weren't sure whether it was going out or not actually added to the game, it certainly didn't subtract from it.
For anyone to suggest that HR's like the two Tom Brice hit with his first two swings at The Show or Luke Hughes one onto the containers...in centre field were not legit certainly weren't regular's at the ballpark last season.
We saw enough to show that the ground dimentions are OK and that good pitchers still get the outs without giving up towering blasts. Ironically, I think you'll find Adelaide's ground at Norwood Oval has close to the same dimentions as The Show.
An extra row of containers? No dramas, but lengthen the ground?
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rooboy
Junior Member
Posts: 15
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Post by rooboy on Sept 27, 2011 11:33:17 GMT 10
The info I got on the homeplate was from Windsor. I asked if the containers were being altered for this year and he said no just moving the diamond back 15 feet. Remember the warning track is probably 8 - 10mtrs wide around the field so 15 feet won't be a problem.
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Post by stuartcapel on Sept 27, 2011 12:31:20 GMT 10
If true, that means I am 15 feet closer to the action, so no complaints there, but moving it back 15 feet means extra grass will have to be laid and given the drainage, I'd doubt that's necessarily a good thing.
Still, so long as the catcher remembers his snorkel he should be fine.
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Post by moose on Oct 1, 2011 7:12:03 GMT 10
Yes the water constantly lapped at the fence for most of the season last year. It was only at the end of the season that that area was dry.
There was some talk last season about taking the containers back 15 feet. Obviously this fell through. At least with the home plate being moved management is trying something to alter the ground.
Don't know if I like the 1st base line seating being licensed and the other being a dry area. Some points to consider. 1. Less seating on that side of the ground than the other, a lot of which were members seating. 2. All Toilets located on 3rd base line side of ground. 3. Will make an all ready congested area (Vendors vans) worse for through pedestrian traffic.
To me though, the most important issue is that of shade for members on both sides of home plate. We only had one real hot day (30+) and it was unbearable in the seating. Especially around home plate as you are out of any wind and in full sun. Whilst it is true most games are 7pm starts, it is the 3pm games that look to be the problem with the heat.
Neil W
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Post by rebelwithoutaclue on Oct 3, 2011 11:11:20 GMT 10
Was at the showgrounds on Saturday and saw the new Aces shortstop going through his paces. I did manage to find both locations pretty easy, but I was looking for them. Pitching tunnel would have been a real kicker in a good spot. Attachments:
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Post by parentofone on Oct 8, 2011 15:38:59 GMT 10
Does anyone know any details of the games in Geelong? Nothing that I can find on the Aces website. Just had a thought, I'll go to the Geelong sight for a look. I'll let you all know if I find anything.
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Post by parentofone on Oct 8, 2011 15:44:36 GMT 10
Nope.....sorry all. Just checked the Geelong site and nothing there either. Are the games going ahead? Any info welcomed.
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Post by fkl on Oct 8, 2011 16:59:24 GMT 10
Straight from the newsletter sent out a few weeks ago:
Pre-season match in Geelong Can't wait to see the Aces in action? Come on down to Geelong Baseball Centre (Pioneer Road, Grovedale) on Friday 21 October at 7.00pm or Saturday 22 October at 3.00pm for a sneak peek as the new Aces team takes on Geelong's International All-Star Team in what's sure to be a thrilling pre-season series opener. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page where we'll post more information as it becomes available. Tickets to the game are only $10 for adult and $5 for children and can be purchased online here or at the gate.
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Post by parentofone on Oct 8, 2011 18:15:11 GMT 10
Thanks fkl......I don't use facebook but the website hasn't got any information. I had planned to be visiting my family down in Lorne that weekend so I guess I'll just pop my head in and see if the Aces are there. Sounds like they will be playing the Geelong team that went to the USA recently? Thanks again fkl. Much appreciated.
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Post by Goblin on Oct 10, 2011 16:27:31 GMT 10
Update on state of Showgrounds The below article was posted on the Aces website today. Wasting no time now that the Melbourne Show is over. work is underway "The Aces are making some big improvements on the field from last year. The Aces were fortunate enough to get a grant from the Australian government to put in new turf in the infield. And this year, instead of having just cut outs, there will be running lanes that will make the field look more professional and make for better baseball. Homeplate was pushed back roughly 15 ft, which not only makes the field larger, but also brings the action closer to the fans. Members will be able to call balls and strikes right alongside the umpire. The new field dimensions are 320 ft down the left field line, 400 ft to center and 285 ft down the right field line. The big blue wall will once again be in the right field, but this year, thanks to Jet Couriers, there will be a two level luxury box on the right side of the wall. Homeruns will not only need the distance, but also the height to clear that big blue boy." You can read full story at web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111010&content_id=25581598&vkey=news_t4067&fext=.jsp&sid=t4067
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Post by stuartcapel on Oct 11, 2011 7:26:03 GMT 10
Interesting that the plate has moved back about fifteen feet. I understand the logistics as to why (42% of home runs in the ABL came at The Show), but I wonder if management has taken members into consideration. Some of us ventured out there in the pouring rain last year to choose reserved seating. In our case, the decision was based on the home plate positioning.
Now this has changed - understand the reasons why but disappointing from a members perspective.
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Post by moose on Oct 11, 2011 7:44:27 GMT 10
Sounds good Goblin!
The only worry is that will the ground be used by the Show at all during the season? Especially during the 39 day break. Not much point in relaying the ground if its only going to be destroyed by other events during the season. Also is this reconstruction going to be an annual event?
Still no news on extra toilets or shade for members yet.
Neil W
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Post by Chilli Wil on Oct 11, 2011 16:56:36 GMT 10
The only worry is that will the ground be used by the Show at all during the season? Especially during the 39 day break. Not much point in relaying the ground if its only going to be destroyed by other events during the season. Also is this reconstruction going to be an annual event? Last time I looked at the Events listing on the Showgrounds website, there was nothing all summer this year. Page wont load on my iPod, when I get home I'll see if I can find the link unless someone beats me to it. I assume until the ACES find a baseball only site, there would be some level on annual maintenance.
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Post by parentofone on Oct 13, 2011 20:38:50 GMT 10
Does anyone please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, have any more information on the games in Geelong, the playing squad or the coaches for the season. Am I the only one who thinks the start of the season is less than 3 weeks away??
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Post by duke on Oct 13, 2011 21:03:19 GMT 10
I share your concerns, parent of one. Did a bit of searching on the internet and the only thing that I could find on the Geelong series was an entry hidden away in the Baseball Victoria Summer League website (scroll down the page below): www.vicsummerleague.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=80228Club baseball is of fundamental importance, yes, but surely the Aces and BV can inform us more fully than this. Nothing about the coaches, or the squad (for Geelong or for the season). You'd think there would be something more substantial than this coming out of the Aces organisation and its BV partner. Maybe a flyer or two, maybe some media promotion, maybe some effort to engage the baseball community. Exhibition games? Exhibiting what and to whom? As yet unknown players turning it on for couple of locals walking their dogs?
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Post by stuartcapel on Oct 14, 2011 7:59:13 GMT 10
I'll give you what I know parentofone.
Coaches for the year, as announced in a release (and amendment) August are Phil Dale (head coach), Phil Allen and Damian Shanahan are from what I understand assistant and hitting coaches, while Lee Hogan is pitching coach.
The playing roster is likely to feature many of the faces we saw last year, with a few new ones in there as well as far as the local talent is concerned. So the likes of Scott Wearne, who is overseas with the Australian team at present, should be back, while a new face or two, such as Brad Harman, also with the Australian team, may well be on the roster. We'll just have to wait...and wait...and wait some more to find out.
It's no secret I've been vocal in calling for a roster for some time. I understand the Aces cannot provide a complete roster, as the overseas players are still as yet somewhat of an unknown commodity in so much as I doubt even the Aces know exactly who is coming out as yet, but to me, there is absolutely no excuse for being unable to release at least half of the roster at say the start of October at the latest.
Such a roster announcement only has to feature resignings and new local players as a bare minimum, but there needed to be something. Right now, we're under three weeks until opening pitch in the ABL, and there is seemingly a flat-out refusal to give us even ONE name as confirmation. As I have said before, I cannot think of another professional sporting league in the country that would have this happen. Again, imagine three weeks from the start of an AFL season and as a Collingwood supporter you don't know for sure if Scott Pendlebury or Dane Swan are going to be on your team's roster for the season.
Anyways, enough. I was told the other day I was the Aces harshest critic. I certainly don't wish to be, and I'd have thought I was a member who was after information. The old eye of the beholder... Again, at least we have a league that we can praise and critique. The old argument for a decade was that we didn't have one. We're in a far better situation now, even if we're still somewhat fumbling in the dark for information.
As far as the Geelong games are concerned, Geelong BC coach Nathan Holmes is managing the 'World All-Stars' team, which from what I can gather is supposed to feature many of the 'import' players from the summer clubs, along with a few 'nominated local players. The concept is excellent, and gives the Aces a couple of practice matches before the season, though I am aware there is some reluctance to allow their players to play given club midweek and weekend fixtures, especially when it comes to the subject of pitching in the exhibition games. I'm sure such issues will be handled as well as possible though.
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Post by Chilli Wil on Oct 14, 2011 19:35:50 GMT 10
Baseball is a little different to the good ol' AFL Stu. Swan and Pendlebury are both full-time employees, a lot of the people involved in the ACES aren't even full-time, let alone the players. And if you look at big brother (MLB) most teams actually get finalised in the LAST week before the season proper.
(yeah they have a 40-man they pick from, yeah we aren't just like them, and a lot of players aren't even in the country yet, but hopefully you get the idea)
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rooboy
Junior Member
Posts: 15
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Post by rooboy on Oct 14, 2011 20:55:05 GMT 10
While I liked the idea of being able to pick our seats like last year I see from the email below they have selected a weird time to choose the seats. Last year was better on a Saturday just very wet. Mid week will be a problem for some I suspect but it does mean it's getting closer to first pitch.....Bring it on I say
Pick a Seat Day We are inviting all our 2011/2012 Members to come down to the Melbourne Showgrounds to personally select their seats for the upcoming season. We will open the Aces stadium to members on 2 days next week, Wednesday October 26 and Thursday October 27, between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. With home plate pushed back 15 feet, members and premium seating will be right on top of the action.
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Post by moose on Oct 14, 2011 21:29:11 GMT 10
The only problem with that is that there has been no mention of last season's members being able to retain their seats from last season this season as was promised by Windsor if I'm not mistaken.
The fact that home plate has been moved back should not mean that old members miss out on their preferred seating. After a season we knew who was sitting around us and we all gelled well through out the season.
Now it looks like those seats will be picked up by those lucky enough to be able to get to the show on those two nights and those of us who can't well St*ff S**t or so it seems.
Pretty dumb move by those hoping to build a following of fans and members if this is how they treat their loyal followers.
Also consider this. Now that the 1st base line seating is a wet area, there will be much more demand for seating in that area than was previously the case.
Anyway both Jim and I are really ruing our decision to buy seasons tickets so early in the piece, when this is the example of how they treat loyal members.
Not happy Jan.
Neil W
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Post by huberfan on Oct 14, 2011 22:16:44 GMT 10
I am a full paid member and was annoyed to hear my friend got a call today from the Aces, I didn't and have the same membership as they do and all I got was an email that wasn't even personalised, annoyed we don't have our membership packs why couldn't they post them out to us instead of us having to pick them up etc. I will not be attending the pick your seat as for one I am at work so cannot make it the fact I live in Gippsland too makes me think I am just too far away for them to contact me etc.......feel as though I am not a member just a number. First time member think it will be the last
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rabbit
Junior Member
Posts: 15
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Post by rabbit on Oct 15, 2011 15:55:09 GMT 10
Couldn't agree more, I've been looking forward to the new ABL season, checking the ABL official page from time to time, even this fails to give much information about the up coming season, who's in and out. The papers say very little (nothing rather) about it starting in 3 weeks time, the only ad's on TV you see are during baseball - I fail to see how this will grow the game as I think it's safe to assume that baseball players/fans watch baseball and they are already aware of the ABL, how does this grow the game?
The ABL should be aiming to get the name out to a more broad audience and give the current fans something to interest them. It still has so much potential but I fail to see how it is going to grow into a respectable national competition when there is very limited advertisement to the general public..
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Post by klattsy on Oct 16, 2011 7:02:38 GMT 10
Couldn't agree more, I've been looking forward to the new ABL season, checking the ABL official page from time to time, even this fails to give much information about the up coming season, who's in and out. The papers say very little (nothing rather) about it starting in 3 weeks time, the only ad's on TV you see are during baseball Pretty much same as it went in the first season as well...At least we could blame copyright issues (for teams names and colours) then. Not sure why more teams haven't announced rosters like the Calvary. Maybe ABL is telling them to stagger announcements? Like they say...if you always do what you've always done...
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Post by moose on Oct 16, 2011 9:05:54 GMT 10
A clarification on my seating issue. I have been reliably told that existing members will automatically have the same seats as last season unless they wish to change. Example due to 1st baseline now being a wet area.
They understand that this should have been included in the e-mail sent out. I guess that if you want a change you should contact them on the Phone number given in the e-mail.
At least this is good news and thanks to management for the heads up.
Neil W
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