The Ralph...Is it becoming a Dump?

[toeknee24]

I've been a season ticket holder for years & have always loved the Ralph but after yesterday's observations & comments that were made from out of town Bills fans in my group I have to wonder if it truly is becoming a dump.

 

Here are some of my observations:

 

-Bathroom walls were painted only 1/2 way up the wall, which really doesn't matter but it just looks so ghetto.

-Several bathrooms had same door being used for entrance & exit so you have to push everyone out of the way on your way out.

-You completely lose the game in the bathroom, they don't even pump the sound through in most of them like they used to.

-There we're stretches of concession stands without tv's to follow the game & the ones that did have tv's were 20" tv's that looked like they were at least 20 years old.

-The row numbers used to be painted on the steps, they have since worn off & not been repainted.

 

Now don't get me wrong I've always loved the Ralph but I think it could use some updates, mostly to the bathrooms & tv's in the hallways.

 

I know were in a small market but it's a market that is selling out almost everygame after missing the playoffs year after year, they have to have some $$ to put into that place.

 

There were some people talking yesterday about the $20 Million that is supposed to be going to improvements but I couldn't find an article on that, does anyone have a link to it?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about the Ralph or am I just being to critical of it?

[PromoTheRobot]

Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up. I think security is a major issue. I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs. The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior. The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there.

 

PTR

[stuckincincy]

Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up.  I think security is a major issue.  I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs.  The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior.  The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there.

 

PTR

786285[/snapback]

It that $$$ coming from ticket buyers? Assesement on season tix or an upcharge on counter purchases? Or is it going to be stuck on others who don't attend games?

 

Curious...

[PromoTheRobot]

It that $$$ coming from ticket buyers? Assesement on season tix or an upcharge on counter purchases?  Or is it going to be stuck on others?

 

Curious...

786291[/snapback]

State money...so it comes out of NYS residents eventually.

 

PTR

[toeknee24]

It that $$$ coming from ticket buyers? Assesement on season tix or an upcharge on counter purchases?  Or is it going to be stuck on others who don't attend games?

 

Curious...

786291[/snapback]

 

Does anyone have a link to this story?

 

I do believe security needs to be upgraded, although I didn't see any problems in section 117.

[Albany,n.y.]

Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up.  I think security is a major issue.  I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs.  The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior.  The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there.

 

PTR

786285[/snapback]

No, the Bills should warn any drunk jerk off that he (or she) will be arrested and banned from the stadium. Fans of aqny team who buy a ticket should expect to be able to enjoy the game without being hassled. I've gone to Bills away games and I do not expect some drunk A-hole to be hassling me. If they do I will call security. I once wrote everyone from the Patriots to the Commissioner's office when Pats fans were throwing beer cans at me for rooting for the Bills in the old stadium. I also convieniently left out the part where I screamed at the top of my lungs at a security guard that fans were throwing beer cans at me & if I got hit by one "I'll sue your f***ing stadium"

[Hammered a Lot]

I've been a season ticket holder for years & have always loved the Ralph but after yesterday's observations & comments that were made from out of town Bills fans in my group I have to wonder if it truly is becoming a dump.

 

Here are some of my observations:

 

-Bathroom walls were painted only 1/2 way up the wall, which really doesn't matter but it just looks so ghetto.

-Several bathrooms had same door being used for entrance & exit so you have to push everyone out of the way on your way out.

-You completely lose the game in the bathroom, they don't even pump the sound  through in most of them like they used to.

-There we're stretches of concession stands without tv's to follow the game & the ones that did have tv's were 20" tv's that looked like they were at least 20 years old.

-The row numbers used to be painted on the steps, they have since worn off & not been repainted.

 

Now don't get me wrong I've always loved the Ralph but I think it could use some updates, mostly to the bathrooms & tv's in the hallways.

 

 

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about the Ralph or am I just being to critical of it?

786280[/snapback]

I sit in sec 311, 50 yardline visitors side. TV work great, Numbers are painted on

the row, restrooms no problem I always bring a small radio and I go to the hidden bathroom which is nice.

[toeknee24]

I sit in sec 311, 50 yardline visitors side. TV work great, Numbers are painted on

the row, restrooms no problem I always bring a small radio and I go to the hidden bathroom which is nice.

786302[/snapback]

 

Hidden bathrooms are nice, we used to have one by our old seats in section 125.

 

Even though those are still one entry/exit, does anyone know if that's a fire hazard?

 

I can't imagine that it would be if they're allowing it.

[UConn James]

I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs.

 

PTR

786285[/snapback]

 

Nevermind fans of other teams.... The only time I went to the Ralph, I was harrassed by drunk Bills fans.

 

Apparently in 1997, wearing a Jim Kelly jersey was a major faux pas.

 

[crazyDingo]

I feel sorry for all those victims of the Blizzard of '77 who were stranded for days in Rich Stadium without beer and chips.

 

The Stadium was supposedly built to withstand up to 2 feet of snow per hour but you could see by the open-roof design they hadnt thought it through very well.

 

I heard Spike Lee was making a documentary on it, but the Stadium and city never really recovered.

[LabattBlue]

There were some people talking yesterday about the $20 Million that is supposed to be going to improvements but I couldn't find an article on that, does anyone have a link to it?

 

786280[/snapback]

http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=52225&hl=

[Bob in STL]

I've been a season ticket holder for years & have always loved the Ralph but after yesterday's observations & comments that were made from out of town Bills fans in my group I have to wonder if it truly is becoming a dump.

 

Here are some of my observations:

 

-Bathroom walls were painted only 1/2 way up the wall, which really doesn't matter but it just looks so ghetto.

-Several bathrooms had same door being used for entrance & exit so you have to push everyone out of the way on your way out.

-You completely lose the game in the bathroom, they don't even pump the sound   through in most of them like they used to.

-There we're stretches of concession stands without tv's to follow the game & the ones that did have tv's were 20" tv's that looked like they were at least 20 years old.

-The row numbers used to be painted on the steps, they have since worn off & not been repainted.

 

Now don't get me wrong I've always loved the Ralph but I think it could use some updates, mostly to the bathrooms & tv's in the hallways.

 

I know were in a small market but it's a market that is selling out almost everygame after missing the playoffs year after year, they have to have some $$ to put into that place.

 

There were some people talking yesterday about the $20 Million that is supposed to be going to improvements but I couldn't find an article on that, does anyone have a link to it?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about the Ralph or am I just being to critical of it?

786280[/snapback]

 

The upper level needs some paint and TLC --- yes. Restroonm are always a bit rough up there.

 

The stadium is old and does not have enough the restroom and concessions capability to faciliate 74.000 people. Never did. The design was always lacking in this area and has been improved a little bit.

 

The old place has character and is not a dump.

[stevewin]

I go to the hidden bathroom which is nice.

786302[/snapback]

/

Hidden bathroom? Is there wireless service to the secret website in there?

 

Damn inner circle

[Oneonta Buffalo Fan]

I've only been they're once on a class trip to the Bills-Jets game 2 years ago. I didn't see anything wrong with the stadium. I guess they're is a problem with the bathrooms. We need more. I didn't expect the lines would be so long even thought the game wasn't in halftime.

[Alaska Darin]

I saw 3-4 drunk idiots take a Jets fan's hat, even though he was ignoring their attempts to bait him. Some other guy went over and took one of the idiot's hats to force a trade. The Jets' fan handed the guy his hat and the idiot threw the other one as far as he could.

[rockpile]

I resent the fact that they put the name Rockpile on the rowdiest section of the stadium

 

I love fans having fun, but not at the expense of others.

 

Also, why do fans:

 

walk IN the restroom door that clearly says EXIT?

 

piss in the sink?

 

scream obscenities at other team's fans?

 

drink until they cannot stand or until they puke?

 

the list goes on... I am not arguing with any of you.

 

The problem is the PEOPLE not the facility.

These things went on in the old downtown stadium 40 years ago.

 

P.S. The Wall section on Sunday had row numbers painted on the steps.

[daquixers_is_back]

Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up.  I think security is a major issue.  I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs.  The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior.  The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there.

 

PTR

786285[/snapback]

 

What! Come on man. I love making the Ralph, the stadium for BILLS FANS. THIS IS OUR HOUSE ans the commercials use to say ... so if another teams fans want to come in, let them ... but prepared to get some smack thrown your way

[MadBuffaloDisease]

The solution? Raise ticket prices so that fans don't have as much money to buy beer.

[SDS]

I saw 3-4 drunk idiots take a Jets fan's hat, even though he was ignoring their attempts to bait him.  Some other guy went over and took one of the idiot's hats to force a trade.  The Jets' fan handed the guy his hat and the idiot threw the other one as far as he could.

786738[/snapback]

 

You were there?

[krazykat]

There were some people talking yesterday about the $20 Million that is supposed to be going to improvements but I couldn't find an article on that, does anyone have a link to it?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions about the Ralph or am I just being to critical of it?

786280[/snapback]

No, it's a dump. The jumbo tron has to be the worst in the league at least from what I've seen. Don't expect much of that $20M to go for upgrades of what you're talking about. It'll probably go for luxury seats/items.

 

I personally don't mind the stadium as is, but in contrast with others in the league, it's very low end. It also doesn't have the historical appeal of a Soldier or Lambeau Field.

 

Props to the management however. They're cleaning up the riff raff somewhat.

[pkwwjd]

It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you.

 

Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league. Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space). Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs. Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas.

 

BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines. In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats. Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day. Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium. Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers. If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day.

[Heitz]

I've been to a few different stadiums (most recently Gillette last year and Quest field this year, though there was no game going on) and while The Ralph has it's charms it's a decidedly old school stadium...

 

Personally I love the wide open concorses and spaces in most of the new modern stadiums - they just beat the cinder block halls of the Ralph.

 

In the $20MM article they talk about potentially using some to upgrade the Jumbotron and add some "ribbon" scoreboars around the side of the stadium. The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games...

 

It's interesting that the marketing department always talks about the difficulty of striking deals, but there seems to be so many opportunities in the food and beverage category. Why not tap Labbat and create the "Blue Zone" - pain the hall blue, add tables and food, TV's showing other games around the league. Or how about taking advantage of the local cusine - a Beef on Weck joint, and Anchor Bar outpost, perogies.

 

Naturally it's still my favorite place to see a game (where else can you tailgate on a *grass* field - thanks Sully), but the old place could use some updating.

 

Hopefully some Buffalo teenager will come up with the next Facebook (which Yahoo! may buy for 1 BILLION dollars; Scott get on the phones TBD is worth at least that!), buy the Bills and put up a new stadium right downtown! I'll be moving to downtown when that happens!

[stuckincincy]

It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you.

 

Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league.  Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space).  Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs.  Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas.

 

BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines.  In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.  We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats.  Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day.  Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium.  Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers.  If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day.

787041[/snapback]

 

Three Rivers, with its "in the Round" seating, was great for Pirates games. One could sit along the baselines and not have to turn your head so much to see the action at home plate.

[toeknee24]

It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you.

 

Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league.  Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space).  Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs.  Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas.

 

BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines.  In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.  We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats.  Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day.  Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium.  Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers.  If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day.

787041[/snapback]

 

I agree about the sightlines, I've never sat in a bad seat at the Ralph.

[smokinandjokin]

The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games...

787087[/snapback]

 

I love the Ralph and will never trash the place. But there is no question it's the worst stadium I've been in for out-of-town scores. I've had money on games where friends have updated me that it's 24-7 Denver over KC at the half, but the scoreboard at the Ralph is flashing 7-3 KC in the 1st. And they don't keep scrolling them, they are sporadic at best when they show them. I agree they must improve this.

[MarkyMannn]

It that $$$ coming from ticket buyers? Assesement on season tix or an upcharge on counter purchases?  Or is it going to be stuck on others who don't attend games?

 

Curious...

786291[/snapback]

 

Why shouldn't it be stuck on "OTHERS"? Let them kick in a little. My buying tickets lets them sit home and watch the game for free

[aussiew]

I agree about the sightlines, I've never sat in a bad seat at the Ralph.

 

Either have I. And IMHO, if you're going to compare stadiums, don't forget to compare ticket prices. We get what we pay for.

 

Since traveling to games is a big chunk of my annual budget, I'd rather have some peeling paint than the $75 for nose bleeds.

 

The new stadium down here in Cowboys country will be awesome. The cheapest seat in the stadium will cost around $90 each and $35-$50 for parking. Sure glad the Cowboys are playing at the Ralph next year.

[stuckincincy]

Why shouldn't it be stuck on "OTHERS"?  Let them kick in a little.  My buying tickets lets them sit home and watch the game for free

787188[/snapback]

 

Er, I think the advertisers pay for the tv coverage, and then the broadcasters pay the NFL.

 

If it's not a home sellout, radio coverage is fine with me.

[MarkyMannn]

Er, I think the advertisers pay for the tv coverage, and then the broadcasters pay the NFL.

787199[/snapback]

If it don't sell out, the "OTHERS" don't see it

[stuckincincy]

If it don't sell out, the "OTHERS" don't see it

787203[/snapback]

 

See my edited post. Be not a slave to the television.

[Marv's Neighbor]

Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up.  I think security is a major issue.  I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs.  The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior.  The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there.

 

PTR

786285[/snapback]

Unfortunately, that happens at ALL stadiums.

 

God forbid you should be at an away game, with a BILLS shirt/jacket etc. and the BILLS are winning....yeah I know, that's a stretch, but ot does happen. The only time I've seen the away fans leave us alone is when you are sitting with a "group" of BILLS fans.

 

Buffalo does not corner the market when it comes to "drunk jerk-offs."

[LabattBlue]

Either have I.  And IMHO, if you're going to compare stadiums, don't forget to compare ticket prices.  We get what we pay for.

 

Since traveling to games is a big chunk of my annual budget, I'd rather have some peeling paint than the $75 for nose bleeds.

 

The new stadium down here in Cowboys country will be awesome.  The cheapest seat in the stadium will cost around $90 each and $35-$50 for parking.  Sure glad the Cowboys are playing at the Ralph next year.

787192[/snapback]

35-50 for parking? WOW! Price gouging at its best!

[MarkyMannn]

35-50 for parking?  WOW!  Price gouging at its best!

787214[/snapback]

I saw on another board that Denver charges $50 for stadium parking

[udonkey]

Unfortunately, that happens at ALL stadiums.

 

God forbid you should be at an away game, with a BILLS shirt/jacket etc. and the BILLS are winning....yeah I know, that's a stretch, but ot does happen.  The only time I've seen the away fans leave us alone is when you are sitting with a "group" of BILLS fans.

 

Buffalo does not corner the market when it comes to "drunk jerk-offs." 

787211[/snapback]

 

Which is exactly why I usually try to mind my manners - my goal to hit all of the NFL stadiums leads me to believe that if I'm a prick at the Ralph, karma is going to meet up with me somewhere along the way.

[LabattBlue]

I saw on another board that Denver charges $50 for stadium parking

787229[/snapback]

In that case, I have one ass cheek reserved for Bowlen and one for Jones, because they can both kiss my A$$ and be assured that I will NEVER pay that much to park for a sporting event.

[Hammered a Lot]

I've been to a few different stadiums (most recently Gillette last year and Quest field this year, though there was no game going on) and while The Ralph has it's charms it's a decidedly old school stadium...

 

Personally I love the wide open concorses and spaces in most of the new modern stadiums - they just beat the cinder block halls of the Ralph.

 

In the $20MM article they talk about potentially using some to upgrade the Jumbotron and add some "ribbon" scoreboars around the side of the stadium.  The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games...

 

It's interesting that the marketing department always talks about the difficulty of striking deals, but there seems to be so many opportunities in the food and beverage category.  Why not tap Labbat and create the "Blue Zone" - pain the hall blue, add tables and food, TV's showing other games around the league.  Or how about taking advantage of the local cusine - a Beef on Weck joint, and Anchor Bar outpost, perogies.

 

Naturally it's still my favorite place to see a game (where else can you tailgate on a *grass* field - thanks Sully), but the old place could use some updating.

 

Hopefully some Buffalo teenager will come up with the next Facebook (which Yahoo! may buy for 1 BILLION dollars; Scott get on the phones TBD is worth at least that!), buy the Bills and put up a new stadium right downtown!  I'll be moving to downtown when that happens!

787087[/snapback]

Who the phuck is Sully. News flash Hammer's Lot also has a grass field!

Screw ribbon boards, I want watch the game on hand and could careless about seeing more advertising. Screw downtown News flash the area around the Ralph has been rated as the 2nd safest in the NFL.

Blue Zone, the Bills already have one of those. Look for the HUGE Labbat signs scoreboard end, upper outside wall.

[Heitz]

Who the phuck is Sully. News flash Hammer's Lot also has a grass field!

Screw ribbon boards, I want watch the game on hand and could careless about seeing more advertising.                                                                          Screw downtown News flash the area around the Ralph has been rated as the 2nd safest in the NFL.

Blue Zone, the Bills already have one of those. Look for the HUGE Labbat signs scoreboard end, upper outside wall.

787341[/snapback]

Hammer - clearly your old school! I know your place has a grass lot and I think that's part of the beauty of the The Ralph, the fact that the parking isn't downtown next to some highway. You seriously don't know Sully? he is your neighbor down the road...

 

As for the ribbon board, I'd love to see more scores from other games and stats from the one going on. Didn't know about the Blue Zone, it was just a first example that came to mind when thinking "local Buffalo marketing partners"

 

In the end, with the way the WNY economy works I'm sure neither of us will have to worry too much about seeing any large-scale changes to the old Ralph! I guess the bottom line is that as long as they keep the team there, I'll be a happy camper!

[SamsBuffetTable]

Downtown Stadium = much less tailgaiting.

[plenzmd1]

It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you.

 

Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league.  Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space).  Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs.  Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas.

 

BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines.  In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.  We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats.  Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day.  Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium.  Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers.  If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day.

787041[/snapback]

 

agreed. I have gone to i guess 11 other stadiums, and the Ralph just has that old time feeling to it. Still makes ya feel like your at a football game, not a local business networking event(fed ex the worst for that).

 

I have griped about no TVs in the pissers since I started going to games there way back when the ole girl opened. Crimminy, cant believe i have gone to games there for over 30 years. That is my one and only complaint with the place. Just remember, people had a lot of gripes about the Aud, but dam don't we all wish that barn was still home to the sabres

[beerme1]

Just remember, people had a lot of gripes about the Aud, but dam don't we all wish that barn was still home to the sabres

787483[/snapback]

 

No. And I'm not being sarcastic.