View Full Version : OKC Dodgers New Nickname



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CaptDave
12-18-2023, 03:14 PM
Minor league baseball mascots are supposed to be fun and kind of goofy. Redhawks and Dodgers were neither. See:

Toledo Mud Hens
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Suger Land Space Cowboys
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Amarillo Sod Poodles
Richmond Flying Squirrels
Akron RubberDucks
Hartford Yard Goats
Montgomery Biscuits
Lansing Lugnuts
Rocket City Trash Pandas

There's also the Louisville Bats......so I'm coming around to OKC Flycatchers.

Jersey Boss
12-18-2023, 08:16 PM
There is no way the City Fathers will allow anything whimsical to occur. We are going to end up with the OKC Oklahomans playing in Oklahoma Stadium just off the Oklahoma City Boulevard near the Oklahoma River.

Is Cornett part of the ownership group?

mugofbeer
12-18-2023, 10:31 PM
There's also the Louisville Bats......so I'm coming around to OKC Flycatchers.

Don't forget the Savannah Bananas! :)

Zuplar
12-19-2023, 07:24 AM
Don't forget the Savannah Bananas! :)

Nowadays the Bananas are more of an exhibition team similar to what the Harlem Globetrotters are for basketball. I heard they are a lot of fun to see, of course I really enjoy the Globetrotters.

jn1780
12-19-2023, 10:41 AM
OKC Flyswatters. haha

Zuplar
12-19-2023, 11:18 AM
OKC Flyswatters. haha

I like that better than Flycatchers. Someone else mentioned Flycatchers as "cute" and I agree, I think that's why I don't love it. Flyswatters is more whimsical and for that reason I like it.

Shortsyeararound
12-19-2023, 11:30 AM
I like that better than Flycatchers. Someone else mentioned Flycatchers as "cute" and I agree, I think that's why I don't love it. Flyswatters is more whimsical and for that reason I like it.

And since we are still swatting flies in December it makes more sense than 10 years ago. Go away flies.

Zuplar
12-19-2023, 12:21 PM
And since we are still swatting flies in December it makes more sense than 10 years ago. Go away flies.

They could give out fly swatters with their logo shaped like a baseball glove. How cool would that be.

Zuplar
12-19-2023, 12:21 PM
And since we are still swatting flies in December it makes more sense than 10 years ago. Go away flies.

They could give out fly swatters with their logo shaped like a baseball glove. How cool would that be.

Boop
12-20-2023, 03:05 PM
It is really dumb we have to wait until after the season to find out the new name for the team

Bill Robertson
12-20-2023, 04:36 PM
locked in until at least 2030

I agree this is true. But the Animal said this afternoon that this has to do with the Dodgers "selling" the OKC agreement. Wouldn't be the first time they were wrong though.

Dob Hooligan
12-20-2023, 04:56 PM
I agree this is true. But the Animal said this afternoon that this has to do with the Dodgers "selling" the OKC agreement. Wouldn't be the first time they were wrong though.

Could be. But I don't recall bouncing a long term affiliation with 60 days left until Pitchers and Catchers report...ever. And I don't see any geographic advantage for any Major League team to want pay a premium for OKC after Austin and Sugar Land both got AAA teams.

I still think the Dodgers (and possibly all of MLB) have a different approach to the brand value of the MLB team names and logos than they did just 5 years ago. And they were negotiating with the OKC ownership at a number that didn't make sense anymore.

Still a very quick move. Especially since it takes a year to come up with a new name, logo, overall brand designs, and secure approval from MLB and MiLB.

Urbanized
12-20-2023, 06:02 PM
I agree this is true. But the Animal said this afternoon that this has to do with the Dodgers "selling" the OKC agreement. Wouldn't be the first time they were wrong though.
Yeah, they're wrong if that's what they said. As I mentioned upthread, the day of the announcement I chatted with the president and vice president of the club in question (OKC), both of whom I've known pretty well for years. They said the relationship between the two clubs is excellent and not going anywhere. Now, if the Animal was talking about the various changes in ownership of the actual teams a couple of years ago, they would be correct. That could be interpreted as having set this into motion, as the two clubs have decided that they each want complete control over their respective branding.

Laramie
12-21-2023, 04:32 AM
Although the Oklahoma City Flycatchers sound flashy; this could be used as the brunt of harassing the players by the opposing team's fans.


'Oh, your fly is unzipped.'
'What did you catch in your fly.'

https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1990/ProCards-AAA-Future-Stars---Base/692/Kevin-Reimer.jpg?id=fe9c8bb7-d8bf-4b9d-9a00-9801851b9e6a&size=biggerthumb

Let's go back to a page in history, OKLAHOMA CITY 89ERS

jedicurt
12-21-2023, 09:13 AM
Although the Oklahoma City Flycatchers sound flashy; this could be used as the brunt of harassing the players by the opposing team's fans.


'Oh, your fly is unzipped.'
'What did you catch in your fly.'

https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1990/ProCards-AAA-Future-Stars---Base/692/Kevin-Reimer.jpg?id=fe9c8bb7-d8bf-4b9d-9a00-9801851b9e6a&size=biggerthumb

Let's go back to a page in history, OKLAHOMA CITY 89ERS

if that is the worst harassment they can come up with.... then that is why you select it. lol. baseball is a game and meant to be fun. and if opposing fans have to us 2nd grader on recess bulling tactics. then i think that is a win.

Jersey Boss
12-21-2023, 12:37 PM
if that is the worst harassment they can come up with.... then that is why you select it. lol. baseball is a game and meant to be fun. and if opposing fans have to us 2nd grader on recess bulling tactics. then i think that is a win.

Agree with your sentiments. It is time to look forward, not backward. No crying or snowflakes in baseball.

Pete
08-08-2024, 06:01 PM
I just saw highlights from the OKC AAA baseball team home game last night, and it looked like attendance was only in the hundreds.

Baseball is an increasingly hard sell which is why they permanently blocked off the upper sections of the stadium several years ago.

It sure doesn't help with not only having no team name but the turnover in parent clubs; can't establish any sort of marketing brand.

amocore
08-08-2024, 07:49 PM
I won’t disagree with the fact baseball may not be the hottest sport anymore.
Yesterday was a scorching day with cooler days coming this weekend, some metro school districts going back to school today, so a probably a bad combination of events.
I think the OKC aaa team has been doing well overall in last few years. The dodgers ownership has been sending good players and seeing good results; it helps !
It is true the stadium is too big for AAA baseball in this part of the century but, also, well taken care off and improved.

Pete
08-08-2024, 08:10 PM
Just looked it up and even as part of the Dodgers last year, OKC was 19th in attendance out of 30 AAA teams.

The citizens of OKC own and pay for that stadium; we deserve better team ownership.

jedicurt
08-08-2024, 08:34 PM
Just looked it up and even as part of the Dodgers last year, OKC was 19th in attendance out of 30 AAA teams.

The citizens of OKC own and pay for that stadium; we deserve better team ownership.

the advertising of the team has been horrible. i used to hear all the time what the special promotions were and things like that, but i haven't heard about them at all since probably 2020

PhiAlpha
08-08-2024, 11:13 PM
Yeah I constantly compare OKC to what Tulsa has done with the Drillers (who have had the same recognizable brand for years while we’re about to be on our 4th during the same timeframe). Night and day difference in advertising, branding, and quality of the in-game atmosphere and that is often reflected in the crowd size/engagement. It’s a better product from a fan perspective as a AA team than OKC’s is as a AAA team in a larger city. While it’s not the teams fault here, even the layout/positioning of Oneok Field (starting with positioning it so the fans see the skyline from nearly every seat in the stadium) and how all the surrounding developments interact with it is far better than the OKC ballpark (I can’t even remember its actual name now and I drive by it every few days). A lot of that is probably the benefit they had of looking at OKC’s for 10+ years before building their own but still.

First mistake the ownership here made was dropping the long time 89er name for some dumb generic bird mascot (a “red hawk” isn’t even a real bird though it does roll off the tongue better than red-tailed hawk). The OK LA Dodgers branding looked cool but what do the Dodgers have to do with OKC? How does that help endear the team to the community? And then dropping that brand despite still being affiliated with the Dodgers to become the freaking OKC Baseball Team for an indefinite amount of time before coming up with a new name is the icing on the cake. They are putting a pretty decent product on the field and doing everything they can from a marketing perspective to ensure no one shows up to see it. They really need to nail this next brand change and stick with it.

End rant

Jeepnokc
08-09-2024, 07:01 AM
I just saw highlights from the OKC AAA baseball team home game last night, and it looked like attendance was only in the hundreds.

Baseball is an increasingly hard sell which is why they permanently blocked off the upper sections of the stadium several years ago.

It sure doesn't help with not only having no team name but the turnover in parent clubs; can't establish any sort of marketing brand.

They have also increased prices and changed up what you get with it. Used to have club seats and dropped them after they started limiting the free beer and wine while increasing the price. We usually did a office outing once a year but they had a significant increase in group package options (suite rentals/outer deck private parties) where they priced themselves out of the market for us. By that,,,I mean if we were going to spend the increased money, there were other group entertainment options in the higher price range available that my staff was more interested in.

Jake
08-09-2024, 09:11 AM
Think the OKC market has evolved enough to a point where mediocre offerings, whether it be a restaurant, retail, or even a minor league team, just don't really work anymore. There's just too many things competing for your dollars now. I haven't been to a baseball game here in maybe 4-5 years.

jn1780
08-09-2024, 09:21 AM
How do the other markets do it? Are we in this awkward spot where there are more things to do besides minor league baseball, but don't yet have a large enough population who are dedicated baseball fans.

Anonymous.
08-09-2024, 09:39 AM
Me personally, I do not care about baseball. However, I used to go to 2-3 games per year as "something to do" on a Thursday - cheap fun and beer - why not? You could buy the cheapest lawn tickets and then just sit wherever you wanted, no one cared. Then I think since like 2020 - they moved the "thirsty Thursday" to Tuesdays (wtf) and made it $2 Tuesdays. And now I don't even know if you can get lawn tickets anymore.

Side note - I did a large seat package deal last summer for a birthday and got a decent deal that even included some merch, but ever since then they literally call me once a month to try and get me to buy tickets. I told them I wasn't interested and I would let them know, but they kept calling. I literally had to block the sales number office because it was so annoying.

Bring back cheap tickets and thirsty Thursdays - hell make beer $2 every game and people would show up and then spend $30 on hotdogs and nachos.

Jake
08-09-2024, 09:53 AM
How do the other markets do it? Are we in this awkward spot where there are more things to do besides minor league baseball, but don't yet have a large enough population who are dedicated baseball fans.

Other markets have teams that do a better job convincing the public to attend their games.

Thunderbolt
08-09-2024, 10:01 AM
How do the other markets do it? Are we in this awkward spot where there are more things to do besides minor league baseball, but don't yet have a large enough population who are dedicated baseball fans.

Other markets in the north and midwest have the advantage of not hosting games when its 100 degrees outside.

Jake
08-09-2024, 10:08 AM
Having literally any team identity whatsoever would be a good start.

Dob Hooligan
08-09-2024, 10:13 AM
Many things in play here.

I think baseball is a shrinking sport overall in the USA. The average viewer is over 60 years old. I'm in that group and I will watch a Summer League replay instead of a live MLB game. Talked about sports to another old guy buddy yesterday, and he just blurted out "I NEVER watch baseball anymore. Just don't like it". And we are both old, white, Republican types.

MiLB (Minor League Baseball) has become much more corporate and streamlined within the last 10-15 years. Our OKC Baseball Club is now owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings, which is part of a huge media conglomerate. Diamond Baseball Holdings owns/operates 35 MiLB teams, including the Tulsa Drillers. And 10 of the Diamond teams are fellow AAA operations. The know the numbers and why they are operating as they do.

I will say that weeknight games in August have always been a challenge. MiLB has streamlined AAA scheduling to where Monday is a universal travel day, and all series are 6 games played Tuesday through Sunday. Thursday is traditionally cheap beer night.

OKC is a Big League City in our own right, and I don't think being a Dallas minor league affiliate is necessary for success. Personally, I think being associated with a top 4 or 5 MLB team is better for us.

But, being a Big League City means minor league sports, like AAA baseball, or USL soccer, are no longer going to play a major role in our entertainment scene IMO.

Swake
08-09-2024, 10:22 AM
Yeah I constantly compare OKC to what Tulsa has done with the Drillers (who have had the same recognizable brand for years while we’re about to be on our 4th during the same timeframe). Night and day difference in advertising, branding, and quality of the in-game atmosphere and that is often reflected in the crowd size/engagement. It’s a better product from a fan perspective as a AA team than OKC’s is as a AAA team in a larger city. While it’s not the teams fault here, even the layout/positioning of Oneok Field (starting with positioning it so the fans see the skyline from nearly every seat in the stadium) and how all the surrounding developments interact with it is far better than the OKC ballpark (I can’t even remember its actual name now and I drive by it every few days). A lot of that is probably the benefit they had of looking at OKC’s for 10+ years before building their own but still.

First mistake the ownership here made was dropping the long time 89er name for some dumb generic bird mascot (a “red hawk” isn’t even a real bird though it does roll off the tongue better than red-tailed hawk). The OK LA Dodgers branding looked cool but what do the Dodgers have to do with OKC? How does that help endear the team to the community? And then dropping that brand despite still being affiliated with the Dodgers to become the freaking OKC Baseball Team for an indefinite amount of time before coming up with a new name is the icing on the cake. They are putting a pretty decent product on the field and doing everything they can from a marketing perspective to ensure no one shows up to see it. They really need to nail this next brand change and stick with it.

End rant

Tulsa's baseball teams:
Oilers 1902 to 1976
Drillers 1976 to Now

Hockey Teams:
Oilers 1928 to Now

The
08-09-2024, 10:35 AM
Bring back the 89ers. The mustached player is also a quintessential baseball logo.

Dob Hooligan
08-09-2024, 11:31 AM
Bring back the 89ers. The mustached player is also a quintessential baseball logo.

I'm guessing that is what they are going to do. They are currently operating under "89ers Thursday" every home stand.

Thunderbolt
08-09-2024, 12:34 PM
Bring back the 89ers. The mustached player is also a quintessential baseball logo.

From the Oklahoman in February: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/minors/2024/02/20/oklahoma-city-baseball-club-rebrand-expected-to-last-past-2024-milb-season-okc-dodgers/72675331007/

"What about just going back to the 89ers brand? Byrnes said it wasn’t just that easy. So, don’t expect the popular brand used from 1962-1998 to be the final choice."

PhiAlpha
08-09-2024, 01:14 PM
From the Oklahoman in February: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/minors/2024/02/20/oklahoma-city-baseball-club-rebrand-expected-to-last-past-2024-milb-season-okc-dodgers/72675331007/

"What about just going back to the 89ers brand? Byrnes said it wasn’t just that easy. So, don’t expect the popular brand used from 1962-1998 to be the final choice."

They’re overthinking things per usual

Dob Hooligan
08-09-2024, 01:49 PM
They’re overthinking things per usual

I tend to agree. I'm thinking if they are using the name weekly, then they can use it all the time. The issue then would be money. I have no idea how, but money is always the issue.

Plutonic Panda
08-09-2024, 02:10 PM
Funny because I have never been a huge sports guy but I have just recently started getting more and more into baseball.

dankrutka
08-09-2024, 03:03 PM
I went to a Tulsa Drillers game earlier in the summer and there was a good crowd with a lot to do. A big perk for my friend's with kids is the splash pad and things kids can do. We all sat in the outfield and their kids would come and go throughout the game.

Jake
08-09-2024, 03:07 PM
I went to a Tulsa Drillers game earlier in the summer and there was a good crowd with a lot to do. A big perk for my friend's with kids is the splash pad and things kids can do. We all sat in the outfield and their kids would come and go throughout the game.

Drillers games are fun. The view and orientation of the field towards the skyline really helps. Feel like the stadium is the perfect size.

BoulderSooner
08-09-2024, 03:59 PM
I went to a Tulsa Drillers game earlier in the summer and there was a good crowd with a lot to do. A big perk for my friend's with kids is the splash pad and things kids can do. We all sat in the outfield and their kids would come and go throughout the game.

and they average less fans per game then the OKC team does ..

Dob Hooligan
08-09-2024, 04:04 PM
Drillers games are fun. The view and orientation of the field towards the skyline really helps. Feel like the stadium is the perfect size.

Can you recall where home plate is located on the lot? I recall both Bricktown and All Sports had/have home on the SW corner. Kinda thinking it is that way in order to protect from the setting sun, and that drives the views. But, I could be wrong in that

BoulderSooner
08-09-2024, 04:11 PM
Can you recall where home plate is located on the lot? I recall both Bricktown and All Sports had/have home on the SW corner. Kinda thinking it is that way in order to protect from the setting sun, and that drives the views. But, I could be wrong in that

center field in tulsa is south /southeast ..

okc could have been built like that but it would not have helped the view ..

Laramie
08-09-2024, 05:02 PM
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/13/95/1e/98/photo0jpg.jpg
Awesome view of the magnificent Tulsa skyline.
https://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/0/5/0/0/ar128119394700501.JPG

Broke ground: December 19, 2008
Opened: April 8, 2010
Construction cost: $39.2 million
Architect: Populous

PhiAlpha
08-09-2024, 05:30 PM
and they average less fans per game then the OKC team does ..

I’ve been to a bunch of games for both and can tell you that it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

Swake
08-09-2024, 05:40 PM
and they average less fans per game then the OKC team does ..

Tulsa is AA, not AAA and is expected to draw smaller crowds. There's little to no star power in the players, but then the cost is lower to field a AA team. Anyway, Tulsa actually is drawing bigger crowds, but not by all that much. Tulsa is near the top in attendance for AA teams, OKC is upper-middle in AAA.

2024 Attendance so far:
Tulsa: 5,948 (ranked 20th of all 120 minor league teams)
OKC: 5,308 (23rd)

Both are down from last year, probably due to the hotter summer. And OKCs shockingly stupid branding choice.

dankrutka
08-09-2024, 06:27 PM
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/13/95/1e/98/photo0jpg.jpg
Awesome view of the magnificent Tulsa skyline.
https://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/0/5/0/0/ar128119394700501.JPG

Broke ground: December 19, 2008
Opened: April 8, 2010
Construction cost: $39.2 million
Architect: Populous




I think these pictures are out of date. There's been a lot of construction in recent years, including a large mixed use building down the first base line and apartments with a balcony overlooking the field in the outfield.

Dob Hooligan
08-09-2024, 06:33 PM
Tulsa is AA, not AAA and is expected to draw smaller crowds. There's little to no star power in the players, but then the cost is lower to field a AA team. Anyway, Tulsa actually is drawing bigger crowds, but not by all that much. Tulsa is near the top in attendance for AA teams, OKC is upper-middle in AAA.

2024 Attendance so far:
Tulsa: 5,948 (ranked 20th of all 120 minor league teams)
OKC: 5,308 (23rd)

Both are down from last year, probably due to the hotter summer. And OKCs shockingly stupid branding choice.

Issue for both is paid versus live attendance. I don't think the weather is an issue. Summer is hot and water is wet. I think baseball just does not have a compelling product in the current US market.

As far as views go, home plate needs to be on the west side of any configuration, because the setting sun will broil any east side set up.

Swake
08-09-2024, 09:55 PM
https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/t_16x9/t_w2208/mlb/mkrdw1xakud5rw27anwk

PhiAlpha
08-10-2024, 01:03 AM
I think these pictures are out of date. There's been a lot of construction in recent years, including a large mixed use building down the first base line and apartments with a balcony overlooking the field in the outfield.

Yeah The View Apartments with the massive lounge area with a patio overlooking the field as well as the vast bank building with in the raw’s patio over looking OneOK Field really make you wonder what the F the hotel developers in Bricktown were doing/thinking when they decided to completely ignore the awesome baseball field behind them. Would’ve been really easy to stick a rooftop bar/restaurant in one of them over looking the field. Instead you have a massive brick wall with tiny windows. Just so stupid.

The
08-10-2024, 09:23 AM
Duplicate.

The
08-10-2024, 09:24 AM
Developers in OKC largely suck at the basics. Midtown R and Gary of FNC being a notable exception. But when I visit other cities, like your Tulsa example, they aren’t ignoring assets right next door.

Dob Hooligan
08-10-2024, 11:24 AM
I think the hotels have always been business focused, and were among the first built in the area, about 20 years ago. Coaches occupied the patio/restaurant space at the end of the 3rd base line for 10-15 years, and did pretty well. But, the overall entertainment scene in OKC has really grown since 2000, and baking in the summer sun looking at a minor league baseball park isn't a strong draw anymore

dankrutka
08-10-2024, 12:43 PM
Tulsa developers did such a better job at designing for walkable interaction between surrounding businesses and the ballpark. Elgin Park sports bar opens right up to OneOK, the View apartments have a great balcony overlooking the field (unlike Bricktown hotels), and then the Vast Bank building has multiple restaurants just across the street. Most places in Brickton are just far enough out of site or around the corner that interaction really lacks with the ballpark. Also, OneOK being below street level make it much more integrated into the neighborhood. You can see the game just by walking by. However, I think there are a lot of ways to improve the Brickton ballpark experience. It's a good field in a good location.

Pete
08-10-2024, 01:22 PM
Remember, Coach's restaurant and bar was integrated into left field at The Brick, with a big patio overlooking the field.

Had a decent run then gave way to the OK Sports HOF took that space.

Dob Hooligan
08-11-2024, 10:04 AM
Tulsa developers did such a better job at designing for walkable interaction between surrounding businesses and the ballpark. Elgin Park sports bar opens right up to OneOK, the View apartments have a great balcony overlooking the field (unlike Bricktown hotels), and then the Vast Bank building has multiple restaurants just across the street. Most places in Brickton are just far enough out of site or around the corner that interaction really lacks with the ballpark. Also, OneOK being below street level make it much more integrated into the neighborhood. You can see the game just by walking by. However, I think there are a lot of ways to improve the Brickton ballpark experience. It's a good field in a good location.

I went to a game at Bricktown Ballpark last night. We have a 7 games a year package, and this was number 6. I was going to snarkily dissect your inaccurate claims, but, I think you should come back to OKC and refresh your memory. Take the train and spend a busy weekend without having to enter a vehicle.

Bricktown and Downtown were hopping last night. It was a Vibrant, Walkable Community,

Rover
08-11-2024, 03:29 PM
I went to a game at Bricktown Ballpark last night. We have a 7 games a year package, and this was number 6. I was going to snarkily dissect your inaccurate claims, but, I think you should come back to OKC and refresh your memory. Take the train and spend a busy weekend without having to enter a vehicle.

Bricktown and Downtown were hopping last night. It was a Vibrant, Walkable Community,

With potentially way more on the way.

People in Tulsa need to come visit instead of dismissing what is going on here and what is already here. OKC is on a roll.

PhiAlpha
08-11-2024, 08:55 PM
With potentially way more on the way.

People in Tulsa need to come visit instead of dismissing what is going on here and what is already here. OKC is on a roll.

I live 2 blocks from the ballpark in OKC now and lived 2 miles away for 8 years…I walk there to get to games. I also lived about 7 blocks from the ballpark in Tulsa for 4 years. I’ve been to both many times since both opened. Tulsa has done a better job designing its ballpark to fit with its surroundings and the developments around it compliment it a ton better than they do in OKC. OKC developers got lazy with the hotels on the north side and there’s still a big grass field and a parking lot across the street on both sides of the main enterance, the highlight on the southwest corner is the joke of a lazy design that is lower Bricktown, there is a huge parking lot and poorly designed hotel to the southeast, and two massive empty parking lots to the east. Contrast that with with OneOk where there is a cool sports bar and the vast bank building with a rooftop patio restaurant, two main floor restaurants and a coffee shop to the east; two nice apartment buildings to the south both with ground floor restaurants and one with a rooftop lounge for for the residents overlooking the ballpark, and greenwood avenue with a few restaurants where it’s west entrances opens out. The worst parts are the highway to the north which is blocked out by the stands/press box and the U-Haul building to the south and the stadium faces the downtown skyline instead of nothing like OKC’s. Everything built around OneOK interacts with it at the ground level and upper stories.

The restaurants around OneOk are for the most part better than the restaurants around the OKC ballpark right now. That area isn’t the best part of OKC’s culinary scene and the Greenwood/Brady area around OneOk is becoming one of Tulsa’s better ones. There are parts of downtown OKC that are far nicer than Tulsa but that part of Bricktown when compared to the area around OneOk field just isn’t one of them.

This dumb “Tulsa people should come down here sometime” stuff is just stupid when most of us commenting on it have lived in both cities for long periods of time or at least have experiences to compare that most people here, including you, clearly don’t. Dan visits both from out of state (I think). The statements that Bricktown is fun and vibrant and that Tulsa did a better job of designing its ballpark and everything around its ballpark can both be true (and are).

Rover
08-11-2024, 09:12 PM
I live 2 blocks from the ballpark in OKC now and lived 2 miles away for 8 years…I walk there to get to games. I also lived about 7 blocks from the ballpark in Tulsa for 4 years. I’ve been to both many times since both opened. Tulsa has done a better job designing its ballpark to fit with its surroundings and the developments around it compliment it a ton better than they do in OKC. OKC developers got lazy with the hotels on the north side and there’s still a big grass field and a parking lot across the street on both sides of the main enterance, the highlight on the southwest corner is the joke of a lazy design that is lower Bricktown, there is a huge parking lot and poorly designed hotel to the southeast, and two massive empty parking lots to the east. Contrast that with with OneOk where there is a cool sports bar and the vast bank building with a rooftop patio restaurant, two main floor restaurants and a coffee shop to the east; two nice apartment buildings to the south both with ground floor restaurants and one with a rooftop lounge for for the residents overlooking the ballpark, and greenwood avenue with a few restaurants where it’s west entrances opens out. The worst parts are the highway to the north which is blocked out by the stands/press box and the U-Haul building to the south and the stadium faces the downtown skyline instead of nothing like OKC’s. Everything built around OneOK interacts with it at the ground level and upper stories.

The restaurants around OneOk are for the most part better than the restaurants around the OKC ballpark right now. That area isn’t the best part of OKC’s culinary scene and the Greenwood/Brady area around OneOk is becoming one of Tulsa’s better ones. There are parts of downtown OKC that are far nicer than Tulsa but that part of Bricktown when compared to the area around OneOk field just isn’t one of them.

This dumb “Tulsa people should come down here sometime” stuff is just stupid when most of us commenting on it have lived in both cities for long periods of time or at least have experiences to compare that most people here, including you, clearly don’t. Dan visits both from out of state (I think). The statements that Bricktown is fun and vibrant and that Tulsa did a better job of designing its ballpark and everything around its ballpark can both be true (and are).
I have lived in both, do business in both, travel in both, and just disagree. Sorry it upsets you.

PhiAlpha
08-11-2024, 09:20 PM
I have lived in both, do business in both, travel in both, and just disagree. Sorry it upsets you.

So you’ve lived downtown in both over the last 5 years during the time that the area around OneOk was fully developed? Based on your posts over the last few years, I find that hard to believe.

you can disagree but it’s an objective observation at this point unless you think development that almost completely ignores a stadium is better than developments that purposely incorporate it into their design.

Swake
08-11-2024, 09:24 PM
Can you recall where home plate is located on the lot? I recall both Bricktown and All Sports had/have home on the SW corner. Kinda thinking it is that way in order to protect from the setting sun, and that drives the views. But, I could be wrong in that

ONEOK Field's home plate is on the NNW corner.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tulsa,+OK/@36.159993,-95.9876066,227m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x87b692b8ddd12e8f:0xe7691 0c81bd96af7!8m2!3d36.1539816!4d-95.992775!16zL20vMDEza2N2?entry=ttu

Dob Hooligan
08-11-2024, 09:32 PM
So you’ve lived downtown in both over the last 5 years during the time that the area around OneOk was fully developed? Based on your posts over the last few years, I find that hard to believe.

you can disagree but it’s an objective observation at this point unless you think development that almost completely ignores a stadium is better than developments that purposely incorporate it into their design.

The snark is that OKC built their AAA ballpark in the late 1990s. And our city is, and has been, a Big League City that doesn’t need to worry about how a minor league ballpark fits into our overall city experience. If Tulsa needs to proclaim how well their AA ballpark fits as the centerpiece of their Urban experience, so be it.