Difference between revisions of "Robertson Field at Satow Stadium"

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'''Robertson Field''', formerly '''Andy Coakley Field,''' is Columbia University's varsity baseball facility at [[Baker Athletics Complex]]. It is named after [[Hal Robertson]] [[SEAS]]'[[Class of 1981|81]], who donated $1 million to the facility. <ref>http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=1567901</ref>
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[[Image:RobertsonField.jpg|Right|thumb|240px|Robertson Field in 2012]]
  
Although fans disagree over the the appeal of the all-turf infield (described below), they universally agree that Robertson Field is one of the most pleasant places to catch a ballgame in New York City.  It's a shame that more students don't make games.
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[[Image:Columbia baseball.jpg|right|thumb|Andy Coakley Field on 17 May 1939, hosting the America's first televised sporting event.]]
  
==Why Baseball Purists Hate It==
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[[File:Satow stadium.jpg|right|thumb|The new seating bowl extending up the first base line.]]
In the offseason in 2006-2007, the natural-grass surface was replaced by FieldTurf (TM), the same surface of [[Lawrence A. Wien Stadium]].  Inexplicably, however, the infield dirt was covered in turf, too; in its place is a brown turf infield pattern.  Consequently, the only actual dirt areas are the mound and a circular cutout around homeplate.  The result is a playing field that looks pretty damn ugly. Why the Columbia administration could not even arrange for dirt cutouts around the bases is beyond me.  Without doubt, unnecessarily sterile aesthetic has drawn the ire of many Columbia baseball fans.
 
  
====Justifications====
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'''Robertson Field at Satow Stadium''', formerly '''Robertson Field,''' formerly '''Andy Coakley Field,''' is Columbia University's varsity baseball facility at [[Baker Athletic Complex]]. It is named after [[Hal Robertson]] [[SEAS]]'[[Class of 1981|81]], who donated $1 million to the facility. <ref>http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=1567901</ref>
Defenders of the turn say that, given the weather conditions in the Northeast, the new state-of-the-art FieldTurf (TM) surface allows the Columbia baseball team much greater utilization of the baseball venue at all times of the year. Because the new turf surface drains much more quickly and evenly than a clay infield, the venue is less likely to be considered "unplayable" after poor weather in the New York metropolitan area.  (the simple solution, of course, would be to cover the infield with a tarp, like most teams do)
 
  
Furthermore, they say, Robertson Field is not the only field in America to have an all-turf infield.
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On [[May 17]], [[1939]], Robertson Field (called Andy Coakley Field back then) played host to the first live television broadcast of an athletics event. A Columbia-[[Princeton]] baseball game was carried by the National Broadcasting Company to the 400 or so sets then capable of receiving its broadcast signal. (Princeton won.) Satisfied with the result, NBC decided to try doing a major league game. Five months later it did, from [[Brooklyn]]'s Ebbets Field.  
  
==Why Baseball Purists Love It==
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Fans universally agree that Robertson Field is one of the most pleasant places to catch a ballgame in [[New York City]]. However, baseball administrators have been known to be extraordinarily, even unreasonably, strict on fans' cheers against enemy teams.
Unlike many modern ballparks, which add "unique features" to try to spice up the outfield with "unusual nooks and crannies," Robertson Field is unique without trying.  Quite simply, the outfield dimensions of Robertson Field conform with the physical limitations of its location.  Most ballparks are shallower down the foul lines and have a deep center field.  However, thanks to Robertson Field's situation flush against the [[Harlem River]], the dimensions down the lines are estimated to be 370 and 340 feet, while center field is about 300 feet.
 
  
To help alleviate the obvious problem of cheap dead-center home runs, there is a chain-link fence which rises about 30 feet above the wall and spans from right-center and left-center; any ball which bounces off the fence stays in the park and is in play.  A true nickname for this unique feature has yet to emerge, but "the Steel Monster" (a shout-out to Fenway's "Green Monster" and Florida's "Teal Monster") seems to be closest to entering into common parlance.
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==Playing Surface==
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In the offseason in 2006-2007, Robertson Field's natural-grass surface with FieldTurf (TM), the same surface as of [[Lawrence A. Wien Stadium]]. The infield dirt has also been covered in turf, too; in its place is a brown infield dirt pattern.  Consequently, the only actual dirt areas were the pitching mound, a circular cutout around home plate, and the warning track. Given the weather conditions in the Northeast, the new state-of-the-art FieldTurf (TM) surface allows the Columbia baseball team much greater utilization of the baseball venue at all times of the year. Because the new turf surface drains much more quickly and evenly than a clay infield, the venue is less likely to be considered "unplayable" after poor weather in the New York metropolitan area.
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Immediately after the change, [[WKCR]] sportscasters dubbed the new stadium "Abomination Field". They were censored by the administration in 2009.
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During the 2010-2011 offseason, the home plate dirt cutout was replaced by turf as well, making the pitching mound the only dirt-covered area on the field.
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==Robertson Field at Satow Stadium==
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Further improvements were made on the baseball field prior to the 2011 stadium, with brand new seats, extended seating down the first base line, and a new home dugout being installed.  A new press box is also being constructed; whether WKCR sportscasters will be able to call games straight from the field level is not yet clear.  (Previously, they had to call the game from hundreds of feet away in the press box in [[Lawrence A. Wien Stadium]])  The improvements were made possible by the donations of [[Philip M. Satow]].
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==Field Dimensions==
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Robertson Field's dimensions are determined by the limitations of its location, in the tradition of the "jewel box" ballparks of early 20th century. Because it is jammed between [[Wien Stadium]] and the [[Hudson River]], it has an odd shape. Center field is flush against the river, preventing it from curving out away from home plate as is normal with baseball fields. Consequently, relatively speaking center field very shallow but the power alleys and foul lines are very deep.
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Foul territory is virtually nonexistent. Furthermore, the proximity of the field to other structures means almost all seats have some part of the field obstructed from view.
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A metal fence has been erected in center field, to prevent cheap home runs. Balls which hit the fence and bounce back onto the field are considered in play.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
[[Category:Athletics]]
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[[Category:Athletics facilities]]
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[[Category:Renamed buildings and facilities]]

Latest revision as of 21:01, 23 April 2013

Robertson Field in 2012
Andy Coakley Field on 17 May 1939, hosting the America's first televised sporting event.
The new seating bowl extending up the first base line.

Robertson Field at Satow Stadium, formerly Robertson Field, formerly Andy Coakley Field, is Columbia University's varsity baseball facility at Baker Athletic Complex. It is named after Hal Robertson SEAS'81, who donated $1 million to the facility. [1]

On May 17, 1939, Robertson Field (called Andy Coakley Field back then) played host to the first live television broadcast of an athletics event. A Columbia-Princeton baseball game was carried by the National Broadcasting Company to the 400 or so sets then capable of receiving its broadcast signal. (Princeton won.) Satisfied with the result, NBC decided to try doing a major league game. Five months later it did, from Brooklyn's Ebbets Field.

Fans universally agree that Robertson Field is one of the most pleasant places to catch a ballgame in New York City. However, baseball administrators have been known to be extraordinarily, even unreasonably, strict on fans' cheers against enemy teams.

Playing Surface

In the offseason in 2006-2007, Robertson Field's natural-grass surface with FieldTurf (TM), the same surface as of Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. The infield dirt has also been covered in turf, too; in its place is a brown infield dirt pattern. Consequently, the only actual dirt areas were the pitching mound, a circular cutout around home plate, and the warning track. Given the weather conditions in the Northeast, the new state-of-the-art FieldTurf (TM) surface allows the Columbia baseball team much greater utilization of the baseball venue at all times of the year. Because the new turf surface drains much more quickly and evenly than a clay infield, the venue is less likely to be considered "unplayable" after poor weather in the New York metropolitan area.

Immediately after the change, WKCR sportscasters dubbed the new stadium "Abomination Field". They were censored by the administration in 2009.

During the 2010-2011 offseason, the home plate dirt cutout was replaced by turf as well, making the pitching mound the only dirt-covered area on the field.

Robertson Field at Satow Stadium

Further improvements were made on the baseball field prior to the 2011 stadium, with brand new seats, extended seating down the first base line, and a new home dugout being installed. A new press box is also being constructed; whether WKCR sportscasters will be able to call games straight from the field level is not yet clear. (Previously, they had to call the game from hundreds of feet away in the press box in Lawrence A. Wien Stadium) The improvements were made possible by the donations of Philip M. Satow.

Field Dimensions

Robertson Field's dimensions are determined by the limitations of its location, in the tradition of the "jewel box" ballparks of early 20th century. Because it is jammed between Wien Stadium and the Hudson River, it has an odd shape. Center field is flush against the river, preventing it from curving out away from home plate as is normal with baseball fields. Consequently, relatively speaking center field very shallow but the power alleys and foul lines are very deep.

Foul territory is virtually nonexistent. Furthermore, the proximity of the field to other structures means almost all seats have some part of the field obstructed from view.

A metal fence has been erected in center field, to prevent cheap home runs. Balls which hit the fence and bounce back onto the field are considered in play.

References