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So they're playing football at Wrigley

HahnSolo Nov 17 2010 01:21 PM

In addition to NYS hosting Notre Dame v. Army this weekend, Northwestern and Illinois will square off at Wrigley Field, in the first football game held there since the Bears left after the 1970 season. And judging from some of the pictures, well, yeah, there could be some problems: [url]http://www.bigtennetwork.com/gallery/sports/football/Big-Ten-Footabll-at-Wrigley-Field-20101117# Check out image #12 (yes, that is the goal post), #16, #22 (the dugout covered), and #25. this is a different football configuration from when the bears played there. Then, the field went from the 1B dugout toward left field, but with the addition of more seating on the field level in the meantime, that setup was not feasible this time. I was one who hoped against hope that we might get one final football game at Shea before she was torn down, but playing in Wrigley? Not sure this is totally wise.

metirish Nov 17 2010 01:36 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Gimmicks.....looks like the config could be dangerous in spots right?

RealityChuck Nov 17 2010 01:41 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

That's nothing. When they played football in Fenway Park in the old AFL days, one of the walls actually cut off a corner of the end zone. AFAIK, no one suffered any injuries due to that.

Willets Point Nov 17 2010 01:42 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

RealityChuck wrote: AFAIK, no one suffered any injuries due to that. They were tougher back then.

HahnSolo Nov 17 2010 01:42 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Yeah, I was under the impression that there were some guidelines in place for the amount of space behind the back of each end zone, which this clearly violates. Even the sideline closer to the first base dugout is close to the wall in spots. If you notice, both teams will need to stand on the same side of the field (which was not uncommon in the old days, both Milwaukee and Minnesota did that) because there's no room on the first base side.

Gwreck Nov 17 2010 03:05 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

They did move some of the walls in the outfield but the cramped spot by the goalpost offered no flexibility because it is part of landmarked the original brick wall and can't be moved. It is indeed a gimmick but it sells tickets and for Northwestern (they're the home team) that really matters, as they have a tough time getting people into their home stadium despite fielding a solid team. Prediction for the game: NU 31 - Illinois 17

Willets Point Nov 17 2010 06:38 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

I like gimmicks, especially when they make use of large buildings that are only used 81 days a year and would otherwise be vacant.

Rockin' Doc Nov 17 2010 07:47 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Willets Point wrote: RealityChuck wrote: AFAIK, no one suffered any injuries due to that. They were tougher back then. They had to dodge two goal post supports on the goal line back then, so a wall in the corner of the end zone was no big deal.

HahnSolo Nov 19 2010 11:04 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Big 10 announces today that all offensive plays from scrimmage--for both teams--will be run toward the end zone near the third base dugout. After every turnover or punt, teams will switch ends of the field. For safety reasons they say. If i am the Illinois coach, I don't let my team take the field.

metsmarathon Nov 19 2010 11:07 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

HahnSolo wrote: Big 10 announces today that all offensive plays from scrimmage--for both teams--will be run toward the end zone near the third base dugout. After every turnover or punt, teams will switch ends of the field. For safety reasons they say. that's a not-unreasonable approach to accomodate a gimmick that i absolutely love.

Willets Point Nov 19 2010 11:16 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Aerial shot of Wrigley in NFL configuration.

Gwreck Nov 19 2010 12:57 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

HahnSolo wrote: Big 10 announces today that all offensive plays from scrimmage--for both teams--will be run toward the end zone near the third base dugout. After every turnover or punt, teams will switch ends of the field. For safety reasons they say. If i am the Illinois coach, I don't let my team take the field. Illinois has no recourse. If the Big 10 Conference approved the venue (they did) then Illinois plays or forefeits. But ticketholders at that end of the field? Now, they have a right to be aggrieved...

HahnSolo Nov 19 2010 02:51 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Or Northwestern...either team. If you are going to say the field conditions are unsafe, then they are unsafe. The sidelines are unsafe (on the 1B side) and you could argue the area behind the other end zone is unsafe.

TransMonk Nov 19 2010 03:42 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

I don't understand why they are playing football in a baseball stadium that clearly isn't designed for football. NU football averages about 24,000 fans per game in Evanston. Is having an extra 17,000 peeps for one game worth changing how the game is played? Will this game even sell out? If so, wasn't Soldier Field available for even more ticket sales and an ergonomically correct design? There is a lot wrong with this situation in my opinion.

Gwreck Nov 19 2010 04:13 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

The game was an instant sell-out once it was announced. It was a major incentive for Northwestern to try to sell more football season tickets -- as noted by TransMonk, attendance is not what the school would like it to be, and they're no longer the pushover that they were in the 80s; they've been extremely competitive in a conference in which they have a huge recruiting disadvantage. Soldier Field was available but unique location is the point.

Edgy DC Nov 19 2010 04:50 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Novelty sells. After all, have you ever gone to a hockey game and said, "You know what would make this aces? If I was freezing my balls off. Watching this game from another 1000 feet away in February while downing a couple of cold ones in the upper deck of Fenway? Now we're talking."

G-Fafif Nov 19 2010 06:37 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Defensive players running back interceptions are advised to limit their showboating lest they take a brick to the face. Baseball at Wrigley continues to kick ass.

Gwreck Nov 19 2010 07:35 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Edgy DC wrote: Novelty sells. After all, have you ever gone to a hockey game and said, "You know what would make this aces? If I was freezing my balls off. Watching this game from another 1000 feet away in February while downing a couple of cold ones in the upper deck of Fenway? Now we're talking." indeed, and well put. I nearly got on a plane for this game (helps that I have a strong rooting interest) simply because football at Wrigley is cool, stupid rule change or no stupid rule change.

HahnSolo Nov 20 2010 05:30 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

I'll watch because it is a cool novelty, too.

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2010 07:05 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

They're also playing football at YSIII today - Notre Dame v Army. I think I'll skip that one.

HahnSolo Nov 20 2010 07:54 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

I'll watch for a while. I live up near West Point, so they're the "local" team in the paper, they have their best team in years, and I like to root against Notre Dame. I've been rooting more rabidly against them--their coach, in particular--after the Declan Sullivan death.

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2010 08:05 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

On I'm sure a bunch of folks are going to watch and, not being a big college football guy to start with, I'm certainly not the best judge here -- but between the natural affinity of see-no-evil CF announcers to hype-up their sport, the overwhelming tendency for ND to get kid-gloves treatment from NBC (it's like their own personal network), the political correctness that will have them praising Army every chance they get, and the slobbering over the 'history, tradition, ghosts, ...' of the stadium, it's going to be a bit more than I can handle.

MFS62 Nov 20 2010 04:51 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

RealityChuck wrote: That's nothing. When they played football in Fenway Park in the old AFL days, one of the walls actually cut off a corner of the end zone. That small end zone must not have been THAT hard to find. It didn't stop the San Diego Chargers from rolling up over 60 points over the Boston Patriots to win the 1963 AFL Champioship game. Later

RealityChuck Nov 21 2010 10:35 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

MFS62 wrote: RealityChuck wrote: That's nothing. When they played football in Fenway Park in the old AFL days, one of the walls actually cut off a corner of the end zone. That small end zone must not have been THAT hard to find. It didn't stop the San Diego Chargers from rolling up over 60 points over the Boston Patriots to win the 1963 AFL Champioship game. Later Considering the game was played at San Diego, I'd say the Fenway Park end zone was not a major factor in the scoring.

Edgy DC Nov 21 2010 11:59 AM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

With old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, they just made it all fair-like and cut off a piece of both end zones. Futbol footbal at Fenwasy was a tight squeeze also.

HahnSolo Nov 21 2010 05:18 PM Re: So they're playing football at Wrigley

Speaking of Fenway, I would not be surprised at all to see BC try to schedule a game there in the near future.