Change is in the future for Angel Stadium. But can the venue keep its charm if the place is more about being an event than just a game? (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Shohei Ohtani was on the mound, Mike Trout was batting in front of him in the lineup, the Angels had the third-best record in the American League … and half of the seats were empty.
This wasn’t Fenway Park.
Or Wrigley Field.
Or Dodger Stadium.
Yet, in its own way, Angel Stadium was the perfect place to watch a ballgame Thursday evening.
As it is on most nights.
Grab a hot dog and take a seat. Heck, in certain sections, go ahead and take an entire row.
The Angels’ future plans came into sharper focus in recent days, courtesy of the corruption scandal that resulted in the Anaheim City Council voting to terminate the sale of Angel Stadium and its surrounding property.
City leaders are expecting the Angels to legally challenge their decision in an effort to revive the sale of the 150-acre site, which team owner Arte Moreno was expected to develop into a retail and residential village centered on a new or refurbished stadium.
A fan buys tickets underneath a photo of Angels pictcher Shohei Ohtani at the main entrance to Angel Stadium on Monday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Shortly after the Anaheim deal was killed, the city of Long Beach invited the Angels to reengage discussions about a waterfront ballpark.
A long-term stadium solution isn’t about to materialize anytime soon.
The next generation of Angels fans will attend games in a ballpark village somewhere, whether it’s in Anaheim, Long Beach or somewhere else. There will be places right outside of the stadium to eat and drink before and after games, which will fundamentally alter the game-day experience.
Look at the mixed-used development at which the Atlanta Braves now play their home games, which has freed their fans from lining up outside of Waffle Houses after games.
Consider how the San Diego Padres’ home of Petco Park has transformed…