Ball Hawk tradition faces new obstacle Additional bleachers may hinder number of street catches By Noel Sutcliff Correspondent      The future of the fans like Dave Daverson who catch the home runs outside on Waveland Avenue is in jeopardy. The Chicago Cubs and their owners the Tribune Company are in the process of drawing up Wrigley Field renovations to submit to the city’s Landmark Commission that will limit the practice of the Ball Hawks.      The plans that will directly affect the Ball Hawks are the building of 12 additional rows of bleachers that would over extend over the south sidewalk along Waveland Avenue. The back wall of Section 151 in Wrigley’s left field bleachers is over 400 feet from home plate. The additional bleachers and an accompanying chain link fence would raise the outfield wall to a level that few hitters will reach.      “Very shortly the Landmark Commission will have the proposals and the public can debate about the renovations,” said Mark McGuire, vice-president of business operations for the Chicago Cubs.      The Tribune Company and City Hall are working together on Wrigley Field improvements, as the city council is debating if the ballpark is to become a landmark.      The city’s Landmark Commission, which is staffed by the city’s Department of Planning and Development, makes landmark recommendations. If Wrigley receives landmark status, the Tribune Company would receive income tax credits for commercial rehabilitation, permit fee waivers for city building permits, and technical assistance from city preservation specialists.      The city of Chicago’s Landmark Division will then work with Wrigleyville organizations to make ballpark improvements landmark into the development of the community.      On Waveland rooftop sightlines outside the ballpark are situated above the bleachers. The proposals include the adjusting for the sightlines of the rooftops.      “Ball hawks are not really being considered in the proposals,” McGuire said.      The Tribune Co. has worked with the Wrigleyville community before. In the 1980’s the Tribune Co. was able to achieve a satisfactory lease for the amount of night games that could be played. Community resident were agreed to 18 night games per season. Night games bring in more cars to an already densely populated Lake View community that has limited zoned parking.      Previous reports have the Tribune Co.’s proposals including a Jumbotron and billboard advertising inside the stadium. Currently Wrigley Field is one of the few parks in the Major Leagues that does not have advertising along its outfield walls.      “The reports on the Jumbotron and the billboards have been completely false,” said Rebecca Carroll, representative of the city’s Department of Planning and Development.      The Tribune Co. will shortly submit these plans to the City Councils Landmark Commission. If they approve the renovations the plans will then go before the City Council for a vote. The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Sports: Shooting for three:IHL preview Who was Joe Turner? Waiting on Waveland Ball Hawk tradition faces new obstacle Hanging with...Ms. Isaacson Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site