supersop Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Just before scores were announced this past Saturday at Ames Field, I caught myself looking around this incredible venue. Enclosed in brick with perfect natural turf was Ames Field filled with approx 4000-5000 spectators (by my guess). The place felt full, but it wasn't entirely packed. I bet 10,000 can fit in there for a big show. Just as that thought started to flee from my brain, on came the announcer. "Drum Corps International and the city of Michigan City, Indiana are proud to announce that Ames Field will be host to the DCI Division 2/3 Championships in 2008", says the announcer guy. I think to myself ... AWESOME, this is such a nice stadium and should be perfect for the usual audience size at Div 2/3 champs. Then I thought to myself ..... that's 3 hours from Indy. <**> I'm happy with DCI for securing such a nice venue for the DIV 2/3 championships, but I hope it comes with some changes to the scheduling. As a FAN of all drum corps, I don't want to have to choose between seeing the best Div 2/3 corps in the world ... and the Div 1 corps. Further, if there isn't a change, the members of the Div 2/3 corps won't be able to go to the Div 1 shows in Indy. If they did make the trek they would arrive well after the show starts..... and so would the paying customers (fan$). Please DCI, for the fan$ sake, for the memberships sake, please go back to the Tues/Thurs/Friday format. Dare I say, let the Div 2/3 top dogs advance to Quarterfinals like they did in the past on Thursday Night and reduce things back to a Prelims Finals format. Anything less than a schedule change will be JIPPING the activity and the individuals who support it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobe Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 (edited) Just before scores were announced this past Saturday at Ames Field, I caught myself looking around this incredible venue. Enclosed in brick with perfect natural turf was Ames Field filled with approx 4000-5000 spectators (by my guess). The place felt full, but it wasn't entirely packed. I bet 10,000 can fit in there for a big show. Just as that thought started to flee from my brain, on came the announcer."Drum Corps International and the city of Michigan City, Indiana are proud to announce that Ames Field will be host to the DCI Division 2/3 Championships in 2008", says the announcer guy. I think to myself ... AWESOME, this is such a nice stadium and should be perfect for the usual audience size at Div 2/3 champs. Then I thought to myself ..... that's 3 hours from Indy. <**> I'm happy with DCI for securing such a nice venue for the DIV 2/3 championships, but I hope it comes with some changes to the scheduling. As a FAN of all drum corps, I don't want to have to choose between seeing the best Div 2/3 corps in the world ... and the Div 1 corps. Further, if there isn't a change, the members of the Div 2/3 corps won't be able to go to the Div 1 shows in Indy. If they did make the trek they would arrive well after the show starts..... and so would the paying customers (fan$). Please DCI, for the fan$ sake, for the memberships sake, please go back to the Tues/Thurs/Friday format. Dare I say, let the Div 2/3 top dogs advance to Quarterfinals like they did in the past on Thursday Night and reduce things back to a Prelims Finals format. Anything less than a schedule change will be JIPPING the activity and the individuals who support it. Addressing DCI with key logical points, will get us nowhere.. :P Edited July 9, 2007 by sobe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pease Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Just before scores were announced this past Saturday at Ames Field, I caught myself looking around this incredible venue. Enclosed in brick with perfect natural turf was Ames Field filled with approx 4000-5000 spectators (by my guess). The place felt full, but it wasn't entirely packed. I bet 10,000 can fit in there for a big show. Just as that thought started to flee from my brain, on came the announcer."Drum Corps International and the city of Michigan City, Indiana are proud to announce that Ames Field will be host to the DCI Division 2/3 Championships in 2008", says the announcer guy. I think to myself ... AWESOME, this is such a nice stadium and should be perfect for the usual audience size at Div 2/3 champs. Then I thought to myself ..... that's 3 hours from Indy. <**> I'm happy with DCI for securing such a nice venue for the DIV 2/3 championships, but I hope it comes with some changes to the scheduling. As a FAN of all drum corps, I don't want to have to choose between seeing the best Div 2/3 corps in the world ... and the Div 1 corps. Further, if there isn't a change, the members of the Div 2/3 corps won't be able to go to the Div 1 shows in Indy. If they did make the trek they would arrive well after the show starts..... and so would the paying customers (fan$). Please DCI, for the fan$ sake, for the memberships sake, please go back to the Tues/Thurs/Friday format. Dare I say, let the Div 2/3 top dogs advance to Quarterfinals like they did in the past on Thursday Night and reduce things back to a Prelims Finals format. Anything less than a schedule change will be JIPPING the activity and the individuals who support it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pease Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 That announcer guy was DCI Executive Director/CEO Dan Acheson. And his announcement was that the opening round of Div. II/III world championships would be held in Michigan City. Not the entire competition. The corps will compete in Michigan City on Tues. Aug. 5 in 2008. After the opening round all the corps will head to Indy Tues. night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corps fan Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 the show in Michigan City will be the II/III prelims...as pointed out on DCI today, the semis and finals are "tentatively scheduled to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Having performed at Ames Field twice, I can say that the only way they could seat 10000 there would be to add 5000 temporary seats. Not knocking it by ANY means- in fact it's one of the two best natural grass fields I've marched on in my life (the other one being Crew Stadium in Columbus OH). But it won't hold 10000 by any stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiodb Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 The Michigan City contingent have become great supporters of division II/III. I had thought they would end up becoming the site for the seeding show(s) the weekend before championships. If they're happy to be hosting II/III prelims instead, then good for them. Looking forward to removing the word "tentatively" from the booking of Lucas Oil Stadium for semis and finals.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OtherDaryl Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I grew up in MC and am still just an hour's train ride and 15 minute walk from the stadium - hurrah! The main problem with MC for shows of any length is the lack of suitable food outlets within walking distance during breaks - prepare for stadium food, but no great variety - it's a high school stadium. The Dairy Queen across the street is always recommended - quite possibly the single most visited food site in Drum Corps History! Hotel rooms are minimal, as well. Just a quick history note - Michigan City hosted the very first DCI sanctioned competition at Ames Field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingamin Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 I grew up in MC and am still just an hour's train ride and 15 minute walk from the stadium - hurrah! The main problem with MC for shows of any length is the lack of suitable food outlets within walking distance during breaks - prepare for stadium food, but no great variety - it's a high school stadium. The Dairy Queen across the street is always recommended - quite possibly the single most visited food site in Drum Corps History! Hotel rooms are minimal, as well. Just a quick history note - Michigan City hosted the very first DCI sanctioned competition at Ames Field. That would be the OLD Ames Field, complete with baseball pitcher's mound. Those were good times... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Ames Field holds 3500 spectators, according to the city official I spoke with when I went there to do an article on the new stadium. Michigan City is only ten miles from where I live. The round at Michigan City is the qualification round for performing at Indy. It was done with the support and encouragement of the Division II & III corps. Those that don't qualify will be offered hotel rooms and tickets in Indy. I had dinner a few weeks ago with Michael Pease, the local organizer of the show. The city is excited by this and anyone who's marched in Michigan City can attest how the city bends over backwards to cater to the corps. (The police even give the caravans an escort to the Interstate.) I think this is a great idea that will serve the activity and marchers well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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