As Yogi Berra would say, it’s deja vu all over again. A minor league franchise (a very minor league team, people; in the history of the Frontier League, five players have made it to the majors) may play in Illinois Field, home of University of Illinois baseball, starting in 2009. Curiously enough, without getting into all the details, the deal may hinge on whether or not the state and university will allow alcohol sales at the stadium. That did happen once before, when the Chicago Bears played at Memorial Stadium during the 2002 season due to renovations at Soldier Field.
Beer and baseball go together like macaroni and cheese. But how about a pint with your popcorn?
Up the road in Bloomington, a new movie megaplex scheduled to open in December was denied a city liquor license to vend beer. Although the Bloomington people thought better of it, this seems to be a nationwide trend, as more and more chains try to cater to adults. Alcohol in independent, small theaters isn’t uncommon; a long time ago I saw the Beavis and Butthead movie at Chicago’s Brew and View. It made the movie that much more hilarious. Of course those theaters aren’t catering to children, and that seems to be the main sticking point — that beer would be served no matter if the movie is G or R-rated. Whether they serve beer or not, that new theater looks like a welcome addition to the Central Illinois movie scene. Hopefully they’ll send Sing-Along Grease over this way.
3 responses so far ↓
Leeanthro // September 26, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I would LOVE to have a minor league team here! One of the groomsmen in our wedding, a local who played for the U of I, continues to pitch for the Northern League (he’s 39!). (Actually last year he played for a different league further away because the Northern League was limiting salaries of player/coaches-you couldn’t get paid for both.) We love going up to see his games. They are so much more fun than major league games, I think.
We might even buy season tickets!
Lisa B. // September 27, 2007 at 7:48 am
The St. Paul Saints (co-owned by Bill Murray, who sometimes showed up at games) were a blast. I wonder, though, whether we have enough collective attention span to re-focus on a team other than one in orange and blue. I know that I do. Will there be a naming contest?
Henny Penny // September 29, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Downtown Blmgtn had a movie theater with beer and it closed. I think The Avon in Decatur has beer and wine available. That reminds me, Haunted Decatur tickets are going to start selling soon.
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