So how was it?

The stadium dropped the ball big time, talking to a couple of the employees I know, they won't be back at work

The Red wings game was great!! The jets that did the fly over went right above our house and that is usually the best part of a pregame!!

Awesome tons better than memorial stadium.

Such a different overall feel to the stadium. Going to a game at Parkview Field was like going to a professional game as oppsed to the "blah" vibe you got from the Castle. BEAUTIFUL park, great sightlines, easy parking, no traffic problems. Yes, the lines for the concessions were long but it's opening night..still trying to work out all the kinks, first time employees, and 8,000+ fans.

I will definitally be back...and several times at that.

Excellent 1st impression! I was very impressed.

I also know someone who works for the Tin Caps in food service. She was complaining at our work today BEFORE the game on how unorganized they were. I wonder what she will say tomorrow. This person also works in the Lounge at the Komets' games and she knows what it takes to do food service for a sporting event.

Good times...so much better than the old yard. I kept saying to myself and my son, "Wow, we're in Fort Wayne."

I think we're more excited about the next three nights as we're on a "Go 4-0 Fort Wayne teams in four days" adventure with the Komets now.

Huge baseball fan, but I can say I enjoy going to Komets games more.

I kind of had a feeling it would be a bad experience, I have a friend who served beer at the castle, when they applied at the new stadium they said they would need to provide their own insurance to serve alcohol, my friend said they couldn't afford the insurance on the money they were paying. Also they had 4 training nights for the food and bev people but all they did at the training was sit around and talk. I don't understand why the people that run that beautiful stadium that they were given at taxpayer expense were not prepared, as an entreprenuer myself it just blows my mind. You only get one chance to make a first impression, I went with a business group to have a good time we had more fun making jokes about the experience than the experience itself. I expected some hiccups since it was the first night but that was just plain awful. I did get a manager to come to our box and they apologized and comped our $1 mini beers that we had to pay for up front because their credit card gizmos were not working. We gave some of our comped beers to the box beside us because they had the same slow terrible service. The komets do way more to entertain the fans than the pot heads. Don't spend your money until past the mid way point to see a game. Been there, done that, won't return.

I still want to read a post as to how it was to get out after the game, the traffic etc.

The place was absolutely amazing. There was no problem at all with traffic getting out of the stadium after the game. For the people who are complaining about the hiccups, I would like to know what they expected from a brand new stadium's first ever game? There was nothing that I didnt expect when I was going in. I knew the concession lines would be long, its opening night, plus Thirsty Thursday...are you kidding me?

They will get everything worked out within the next couple games. I will be attending many, many, many games this summer. Ticket prices are great and concession prices are considerably cheaper than Memorial Stadium or Coliseum. $2.50 for a hotdog isn't too bad at all compared to the $5 I paid at an Indians game last weekend.

It was definitly a great night for Fort Wayne!

For DS214, getting out of the game was easy as can be. I parked in the garage across from the Hilton for $2.00 and it was smooth as can be getting out. Once out of the garage, it was just as easy on the streets around the stadium getting out

ds214: traffic wasn't bad at all. we live on the east side of town and parked right downtown for the game. we got onto jefferson and that was that. the police did a great job and it was actually a lot easier than getting out of a komets game.
the lines were atrocious, as everyone said. like gamemisconduct said, opening night, sellout crowd, cheap beer, and new employees... it's expected. it was just the huge numbers that led to a majority of the problem. there was even a line for the mens room and there weren't any employees working in there to blame it on.
i think anyone who went there and came out of a great stadium after watching the home team kill the competition with nothing more than complaints about waiting in line for beer probably went to the game for the wrong reasons. maybe they forgot during their quests for beer that there was a baseball game going on too. maybe these are some of the same people who make me stand up 50 times at the K's games to let them get their drinks, then again when they can't control their bladders. and why hasn't anyone complained about the people working the concessions at the coliseum stands who STILL can't work a debit card when they ring up your order, and it's WAY past opening night for the K's? are the beer lines for the Komets short and fast-moving?? they aren't behind my section!
there are always going to be things to complain about, no matter where you go. you just have to decide if you're going to be one of the people who walk into an event looking for something to be wrong or to nag about. i'd highly recommend taking in a game to anyone. BE AWARE though, there will be people at the game! it won't be a private showing like some people were apparently hoping for. this is another great thing to do in Fort Wayne. I couldn't stand games at the castle, but last night was a good showing at the new stadium and it was great seeing fort wayne come out and welcome the new team home.

Great post running Komet...it's no secret there are a lot of people who are/were against the stadium. Not to say you can't complain, but all the compaints I've seen thus far are things that can be fixed with time and experience. You have to remember these people haven't been working for years doing this. The Coliseum employees didn't transfer over. I wasn't there last night because I'm still in Muncie right now but I'm very excited to get to a game...

I sat on top of the "mini green montser" in left field and thought the seats were outstanding.You start to forget that you're in downtown Fort Wayne!Yeah the lines were long and slow but I pretty much expected that.For the 1st game I'm sure they could've done better with the concessions.Im sure they'll live and learn and have things figured out soon.I work only a few blocks south where we parked so we avoided alot of the traffic downtown.The park and the whole atmosphere was a 100% improvement over the castle.Let's not forget about the team on the field,they're gonna be tough.I would highly recommend going to a game to anyone who likes baseball but never got into watching the Wizards,not the same thing at all!!

IMO, the people who are throwing a hissy fit about having to wait in line/slow service are simply being unrealistic. I'd place good money on the people complaining about that being the same who were/are against Harrison Square.

If you have to nitpick about concessions for your opinion to feel correct and validated..go for it. You stay home and be miserable pouting over THE stadium while the rest of the city enjoys a wonderful new addition.

Welcome to Fort Wayne!

Two different perspectives RK, i didn't wait in any lines, thats why the corporation that took me purchased the box seats, so their clients could be waited on / entertained. This company took their largest clients to that game, Why, opening night of course, who else would you take. Believe it or not business does happen during these events. We left early and continued our discussions at another venue where you could actually get what you wanted in a timely manner.

It would be good business for the Tincaps to apologize to the box holders in some fa$hion.

We parked right across the street behind King Gyros, $4, front row. We left early, so there were no problems. But, i just don't go downtown to events anymore because of the parking nightmare, took us an hour to get out of the garage after a concert at the embassy and i have never been back.

Just a hunch, you were never in favor of Harrision Square were ya Burgee?

People go to the game to watch a baseball game and be entertained by the game of baseball and guess what...everyone I know had a wonderful time. Why should the TinCaps be on the hook because you and your company went to a hectic opening night to have a meeting? Whats wrong? Didn't the Caps want you to print up any signs for them?

GM has hit the nail on the head a lot. The park, flat out, is awesome. For a minor league team, it is simply amazing how nice the place is. I walked around the concourse and it really felt like there was no bad seat in the joint. The view of downtown is sweet, and the video board is something to behold. Not sure what I think about using Linkin Park as the opening tune, but it was kinda sweet. Nothing will ever come close to Jungle though.

I do agree that lines were long, and I overheard some folk saying that it took them about 30 minutes just to get a beer. I'm positive this is due to opening night jitters, and/or the number of people there, and/or first night actually 'working' instead of just training. I didn't partake of any of the concessions myself, but I'm sure they will work out the kinks.

As for parking/traffic, I parked up by Double Dragon/Toscani on the street ($0) and didn't have any problems at all--though I did leave early.

Overall, a great experience, and a really sweet park. I'm not a baseball fan at all (tooooo slooooow), but I can see myself going back--just for the experience.

Well done Hardball, and well done Harrison Sq.

ooh a direct shot.

obviously you don't understand.

It wasn't my company, another company took me. i felt bad for the corporation that took me.

Didn't go after that business.

And since you brought it up I think the taxpayer money could have been spent on something better than Harrison Square. The place is beautiful, been there done that, but our money could have been spent in a better way.

you are wrong on another thing: SOME People go to the game to watch a baseball game and be entertained by the game of baseball, not everyone.

2 of my kids are not entertained by the komet games, but are entertained by the festivities that are going on at the game, which allows my entire family to attend. We all have our different reasons and opinions. Ours differ, which isn't a bad thing because i don't like it when everyone agrees with me, i get suspicious!

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE TO THIS anyone who is, how do i phrase this... longer in the tooth. Burgee you are sounding more and more like my dad with each post. The older he has gotten, the less patience he has with people or waiting on anything in general. I love the guy to death, but unless he's sitting in a Halls restaurant with his favorite waitress who can refill his coffee or "warm it up" before he's even halfway through the cup, he's complaining about bad service. A good way to pass the time while waiting on your server who was trying to keep up with, and learn, everything on his/her FIRST NIGHT on the job would've been to watch the great game starring our UNDEFEATED baseball team. If you are so worried about the business aspect, stay at work on the phones. Maybe you could use that time to work with Aramak and the coliseum to cut down prices on their concessions so they are closer to those of the new stadium (food was great by the way). I got a full meal for $10. Coliseum can't touch that. Plus, anyone who left the game early obviously wasn't there for the game in the first place. Unfortunately I think some people just went to the game to try and find things to cut down the new stadium. Fort Wayne has a bit of a reputation for that. Regardless, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and is more than free to go to the GAME for whatever reasons they'd like. I respectfully agree to disagree with some of the bloggers on here. I'm not going to attempt to bash the coliseum either. I love going to games there and rooting on the Komets, despite the downfalls here and there. I love sports and I guess I am willing to put up with some things to watch them here in the fort.

I will open the possibility to being totally wrong though. Whoever finds a perfect sporting event (or concert for that matter) where there are no lines, service is there before I can finish off my drink, and my food is ready, fresh, and prepared perfectly to my desires without any possible effort or patience required on my part, please post it on here. I'll be ready to buy season tickets!

Did anyone hear, there's a hockey game tonight!

i think me and your dad could hang together. there is hockey all weekend - road trip.

You'll never convince me that people actually care about the baseball. It's an entertainment option just like going to the movies. I'll bet 99 percent of the people couldn't tell you the players' names after going to five games. I'll bet no more than 5 percent could have told you the team's record coming into last night's game.

That's not wrong, it's just different. I think as we pay more for our sporting events, we're looking at them more as entertainment options across the board, Komets included. There aren't enough diehard fans to pay the cost of anything anymore. It's strictly a business.

I was at a Wizards' game about five years ago right after they made a trade with Boston for a shortstop. They gave up supposedly their best pitcher. The first inning of that game the new shortstop makes three errors in the field. He's second up in bottom of the inning and everybody cheers just like normal when he's announced. Nope, nobody's paying attention.

That's why the ballpark is so important to some people. They are selling the atmosphere and asthetics, not the baseball. The baseball is about fourth or fifth on the list of priorities. Look at the crowds at the few baseball playoff games we've had. That's why I always chuckle anytime somebody says they'd do so much better if they were a Cubs' or Reds' or White Sox affiliation. Absolute baloney!

It's just different and the TinCaps are smart to market it that way, as are the Komets more and more.

I'll concede you have a good point Blake. I have to admit that I was surprised how many people noticed right off the bat at the beginning of the season how much less Icy was out in the crowd once the new scoreboard was up and working. As time went on, he was in the crowd more. And I will also admit the exhibition Komets games are not nearly as fun without all the bells and whistles of the coliseum being active. I think that's just because I'm used to them though. When I go to Colts or White Sox games though, I'd be a lot happier if they'd cut all that crap out and just concentrate on the game. And what about all the people who like racing in the U.S.? Are you telling me they go to those events for the little things they do during intermissions? I've never seen anyone doing fan games during caution flags. Would be entertaining though watching drunken idiots dodging NASCARS or Indy Cars as they try to catch up to the pack under yellow. I'm going to get The Frances and Tony George on the horn. Be back in a bit!

Now you're the one sounding old! Haven't you guys figured it out yet? They don't market to the men, they market to the women who control the finances in a family -- even Burgee's! If Mama's happy, everybody's happy, including the kids.

And that's why races have infields. LOL. Like racing numbers are dropping, too.

In 5 hours we should all be getting to the War Memorial Coliseum to watch the Komets...Lets not lose sight in the real Fort Wayne sport being played tonight...Lets get fired up! Get Loud!...haha...right now on the radio "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE" just came on. Who's fired up for tonight?
Lets Go Komets!!

You'll love this, want to know how i get to go to all the hockey games?

We sit in the club seats where my wife gets waited on, it used to be just me and a couple of the kids to a few games, when i got mama that club seat and she got waited on, i haven't missed a game since march 2004. Once i got mama figured out daddy and the kids were happy!

Repeat after me: Yes dear, Yes dear.

Since then she has become quite the fan and is even tailgating tonight!

im against using a ball stadium as the venue to jumpstart the downtown siuation. as we see they cant get the hotel they wont get condos and the retail is a long way off. BUT, that doesnt stop me from saying hardball did a great job in building the stadium. took a couple private tours during the construction and they have done thngs even a triple a team wouldnt do. against the project but now that the city has done it without the blessing of the taxpayers, we have no choice but to support it cause if it doesnt go over, watch our taxes really grow and we will be the laughing stock of the midwest. as far as the gliches, they will have growing pains and as long as they are corrected then it was worth it. opening night was not the night for corp big wigs to try and hold business meetings. opening night is for fun and the experience and if some big suits get upset cause a waitress couldnt bring them their $1 cheap beer to them on a timely maner, then maybe thats a business i wouldnt want to be assosicated with. not good enough for them!! and one pet peeve at the komet games are you cheapskates who have to back up the beer lines by paying for your beer with credit or debit. not the time or the place. sound old enough for you guys??? lol

HAHAHAHAH! Blake, you're showing your "experience". You've caught me on that one! I have a clean ring finger. My backbone isn't in anyone's purse... not yet at least. I have one who is getting pretty impatient with me so pretty soon I'll probably have to give up on my flat screen, car, opinions, ability to ever have a right answer on anything, right to make a decision, and all of the other goodies that go along with selling my soul to the engagement ring industry. Look at the bright side though, she loves the Komets! I will say this though, I've already been given "The Look" when I joked with her about proposing at a Komets game. Sorry to those who have chosen the ever-romantic Jungle as a place to propose, but that just won't cut it with her. Maybe Parkview Field!! Hahahaha!

As always, the lady is right, even in this blog. It's hockey night in Fort Wayne! LET'S GO KOMETS!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GO KOMETS!!!! Baseball season can wait!!!!!

i got a chuckle out of that one, cause he took the same big customer to opening day at lucas oil........they had a great time there.......only difference between the two is how it was managed.

RunningKomet fan: Ditto from the opposite side of the aisle. You know that studies have shown that when men get married, they have more free time. When women get married, they actually have LESS free time. Is it any wonder that the more intelligent a woman is, the less likely she is to ever get married? B)

As for the new stadium, the pictures I've seen look lovely, and I'm sure they will get the bugs worked out. I'm not a fan of baseball, but I can see how a warm and lazy summer evening might be fun to spend down there at some point.