Unique Sports Events / Venues

[Commandant]

Special thanks to whitesoxinteractive.com for the pics and information.

Turn Back the Clock Day, July 11, 1990, Old Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois

This is the game that started the throwback trend. The Sox were making up a rained out game against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a celebration of the park's last season and a commemoration of Chicago's last championship ball club, the 1917 White Sox. Harkening to the ballpark's atmosphere when it was still new and modern, the White Sox held Turn Back the Clock Day. The scoreboard and public address systems were turned off. The ground crew wore period outfits. Prices were rolled back at several concessions. Most of all, the White Sox wore the same uniforms from their 1917 championship year.

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by Gondolier

If there are so many 'aberrations,' then they're not ALL that unique anymore, are they? I mean it looks like adaptations are made to every setting...so why would that be unique??

It's unique because it is something we are not used to seeing. So spectators and participants DON'T get hurt, you need "aberrations" and "adaptations." I agree the route of the Mille Miglia, for the 11 races held after WWII, was a little watered down, but if you actually read the excerpt I posted, you would have a better understanding as to why it's in this thread. This is an open-road endurance race, so the route is only a quarter of the story:

The race featured high-powered touring cars—among them some of the first racing vehicles designed by Porsche, Alpha Romeo, and Ferrari—tearing along public roads from the city of Brescia to Rome. In addition to becoming known for featuring some of the world’s fastest cars and top drivers, the Mille Miglia was also notorious for terrifying crashes. In the early days of the race even winners needed 16 hours or more, so most competitors had to start before midnight and arrived after dusk - if at all.

That is why you cannot compare this race to the Tour de France or the America's Cup because auto racing, especially in this format, is a bit more dangerous. The America's Cup is held on open waters. Spectators are not around until the yachts get to their destination, so really the only danger lies with the participants. But with only two yachts racing, organizers don't have to spread themselves thin making sure the participants are safe. The Tour de France is a bike race, with checkpoints, rest days, and no night racing; everyone is as safe as kittens. The Mille Miglia came at a time when automobile safety was nowhere to be found. Cars did not have roll bars or other safety features, there were no barriers between passengers and vehicles, they raced at night on roads with railroad crossings, sharp turns and god knows what else, plus seat belts were not standard. Mix all that with fast cars and top drivers and this race was still pretty intriguing regardless of the course they chose...

[Mazene]

great pics, the yankee stadium is huuuuuuuuuuge!! as with all stadiums in America..LOL

[Gondolier]

Originally Posted by Commandant

It's unique because it is something we are not used to seeing. So spectators and participants DON'T get hurt, you need "aberrations" and "adaptations." I agree the route of the Mille Miglia, for the 11 races held after WWII, was a little watered down, but if you actually read the excerpt I posted, you would have a better understanding as to why it's in this thread. This is an open-road endurance race, so the route is only a quarter of the story:

The race featured high-powered touring cars—among them some of the first racing vehicles designed by Porsche, Alpha Romeo, and Ferrari—tearing along public roads from the city of Brescia to Rome. In addition to becoming known for featuring some of the world’s fastest cars and top drivers, the Mille Miglia was also notorious for terrifying crashes. In the early days of the race even winners needed 16 hours or more, so most competitors had to start before midnight and arrived after dusk - if at all.

That is why you cannot compare this race to the Tour de France or the America's Cup because auto racing, especially in this format, is a bit more dangerous. The America's Cup is held on open waters. Spectators are not around until the yachts get to their destination, so really the only danger lies with the participants. But with only two yachts racing, organizers don't have to spread themselves thin making sure the participants are safe. The Tour de France is a bike race, with checkpoints, rest days, and no night racing; everyone is as safe as kittens. The Mille Miglia came at a time when automobile safety was nowhere to be found. Cars did not have roll bars or other safety features, there were no barriers between passengers and vehicles, they raced at night on roads with railroad crossings, sharp turns and god knows what else, plus seat belts were not standard. Mix all that with fast cars and top drivers and this race was still pretty intriguing regardless of the course they chose...

Thanks, Commandant. THe point is I REALLY HATE any motorized races!! What do NASCAR, FI all those ridiculous motocross bike races do? NOTHING but rape the land; pollute the soil and make oil companies rich. And those outfits of the drivers witha hundred different logos. Sheesh...a whore has more humility and self-esteem than these sons of biotches!! As far as I am concerned, if the Taliban and Al Qaeda are against motorized sports, then I am with them on this one!! Death to all the FI, Motocross, NASCAR drivers!!

[parcdesprinces]

The Arena of Nîmes, France (ancient Roman amphitheatre)

The arena is mainly used for bullfighting and concerts, but it's/was also used several times as tennis venue (Davis Cup & Fed Cup) even during winter by the add of a temporary roof over the lower tiers + a heating system.

Former capacity (2,000 years ago): 24,000 seats
Current summer capacity: 13,700 seats (16,300 for concerts)
Current winter/indoor capacity: 7,000 seats

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr




image hosted on flickr

[Bobby3]

Arles' arena is still used too, right?

[Commandant]

Yes, it's still being used...
image hosted on flickr

[parcdesprinces]

Originally Posted by Bobby3

Arles' arena is still used too, right?

Indeed !


Arena of Arles, France (ancient Roman amphitheatre)

Bullfighting & concerts.

Former capacity (2,000 years ago): 21,000 seats
Current capacity: 12,500 seats (15,000 for concerts)

image hosted on flickr








image hosted on flickr



"Olé !"




P.S. @Commandant: the pic you just posted shows a scale model of the Arena and was taken in the "France miniature" park !

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by parcdesprinces

P.S. @Commandant: the pic you just posted shows a scale model of the Arena and was taken in the "France miniature" park !

DAMNNIT google! Nice pics tho parcdesprinces... Are there anymore Roman amphitheatres in France?

[parcdesprinces]

Originally Posted by Commandant

Are there anymore Roman amphitheatres in France?

Yes, numerous ones (even in Lutetia Paris) ! ...but none of them are as well preserved as the two above

(btw, the Arena of Nîmes is considered as the best conserved amphitheatre of the whole former Roman Empire !)

[Commandant]

Opening Game of the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship Division III, Mexico vs. Bulgaria, Zócalo Ice Rink, Mexico City, Mexico

image hosted on flickr

[Commandant]

Ice Hockey on Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
image hosted on flickr


Oklahoma City Barons practice at the Devon outdoor ice rink in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


Winter Festival at Bondi Beach, July 16, 2010, Sydney, Australia


Nexen Trafalgar Cup (street hockey event during Canada Day celebrations), Trafalgar Square, London, England

[Commandant]

Timmy Mallett played baseball for a celebrity team at Lord's Cricket Ground.


1916: London American vs. Canadian baseball match at the Queen's Club in Kensington, London


An exhibition game, between American League and National League stars, before the King of England in London, November, 1924


The last London baseball match of the 1936 season at an empty White City Stadium.


Baseball player Bernard Nodell showing how to catch a ball at an Anglo-American Baseball Association match between Oxford and London.


Wembley Stadium in London is the site for a demonstration baseball game, during the second leg of a post season tour for the New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox in October of 1924.


An August 1943 baseball match between the US and Canadian Armies at Wembley Stadium, London.


September 1943: The American baseball team prepare for the match between America and Canada at Wembley Stadium in London.


Lady Churchill, wife of the British Prime Minister, meets the Canadian all-stars before they went on to a 5-3 win against a U.S. Army team at Wembley Stadium in August 1942. Interestingly, the uniforms they are wearing are the same ones worn by the England team that won the first baseball world championships against the U.S. Olympic team in 1938.


July 25th, 1937, Sam Hanna of the Pittsburgh Pirates slides home as Roland Gladu of West Ham tries to tag him out, during a game of baseball at the West Ham stadium, London.

[Gondolier]

Originally Posted by Commandant

against the U.S. Olympic team in 1938.

HUH?

#1 - THere were NO Olympics in 1938

#2 - Baseball did NOT officially become an Olympic sport until 1992! You're off some 54 years!!

Commandant, r u sure you're just not making these things up? You just seem to be posting things of whatever you find...regardless of the very loose limits of the topic you set yourself up for!!

[Commandant]

Are you an idiot or something?

This is what the caption says, READ IT CAREFULLY! I'll highlight all the main points so you don't get lost.

Interestingly, the uniforms they are wearing are the same ones worn by the England team that won the first baseball world championships against the U.S. Olympic team in 1938.

The first baseball WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (known today as the Baseball World Cup) started in 1938. This was a five game series contested by Great Britain and the United States from August 13, 1938 through August 18, 1938 in England. The USA squad was composed of mainly students from high schools and colleges getting ready to compete in the 1940 Olympics (this is the U.S. Olympic team mentioned in the quote). Baseball was scheduled to be a demonstration sport at the 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan before the games were transferred to Helsinki, Finland and subsequently canceled due to World War II.

This game (featured in this pic):

is a Canadian all-star team (wearing the jerseys of the 1938 GB World Champs), playing a U.S. Army team in August 1942...

Do you understand?

BTW genius, baseball started as a demonstration sport at the 1912 Olympics...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1912_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1936_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1952_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1956_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1964_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1984_Olympics
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1988_Olympics

1936 Olympic Exhibition: World Champions vs. US Olympics, Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany


The 1956 Olympic Exhibition: Australia vs USA, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia




If you weren't an idiot and could use google search, you could have found this information. I am sick of your constant TROLLING... If you DON'T like anything I or anyone else have posted in this thread or if you DON'T have anything useful to contribute to this thread DON'T POST here anymore!

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by Gondolier

Commandant, r u sure you're just not making these things up? You just seem to be posting things of whatever you find...regardless of the very loose limits of the topic you set yourself up for!!

One more thing smart guy, I don't just post things, I DAMN WELL make sure ALL images and information actually belong in whatever thread I post in. That means researching every bit of history I can find on that particular topic. Yeah I've made some mistakes (Arena of Arles miniatures) but I'm not just shooting blindly in the dark. So... like I said before... Please Gondolier... If you don't have anything useful to contribute to this thread do not post here anymore...

[Commandant]

Sorry everyone for getting this thread off topic, but honestly...

[Commandant]

Maybe I'm in the wrong... Please someone (I mean anyone but Gondolier) tell me, do I need to give more information when I post images in this thread? Do I need to cite my sources? Or is it just a few simple-minded individuals making things difficult? In each picture caption I try to provide the who, what, where, and when... Is this enough? Let me know...

[en1044]

I wouldn't think that you would have to cite a source unless it was something odd or unique. You've been posting obscure stuff like this (as in baseball parks from around the world), so I think you're a credible source.

[parcdesprinces]

Originally Posted by Commandant

Sorry everyone for getting this thread off topic, but honestly...

Don't worry..

Anyway, here is another example of unique sports venue from France :


The Grand Palais, Paris (built for the Universal Exposition of 1900)

This hall was and is still used as sport venue.. (it was even part of the Paris Olympic bid for the 2008 games)


















en.wikipedia.org/Grand Palais