The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
New food items, traffic patterns are on deck
Team outlines changes that await fans heading into 2018 season
From altered traffic patterns on the streets outside Progressive Field to new food items at concession stands and restaurants on the inside, the Cleveland Indians are ready for the home opener on April 6.
The Kansas City Royals will provide the opposition for the 25th home opener staged at the downtown ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.
Popular manager Terry Francona and the Indians opened the 2018 season on March 29 in Seattle. They’ll play two more games against the Mariners and three in Southern California against the Los Angeles Angels before returning to open the 81game home portion of the schedule in front of a capacity crowd.
Indians Senior Director of Communications Curtis Danburg spoke about the change in traffic patterns around Gateway Plaza on March 29 during the annual “What’s New at Progressive Field” media briefing.
With the neighboring Quicken Loans Arena undergoing a $140 million renovation and facelift, barriers are in place on Huron Road. That’s the east-west artery used by many Indians and Cavs fans to enter the Gateway East parking garage and other surface lots close to the ballpark and arena.
On game days, pre-game traffic on Huron Road moves eastbound only in
“You eat with your eyes.” — Todd Brazile, executive chef for Delaware North
two lanes. Post-game traffic moves westbound only on Huron Road.
The new patterns, in place since Feb. 5 and expected to remain through much of 2019, have created worse-than-usual traffic jams for Cavs games. Indians fans can expect more of the same beginning with the home opener.
“We’ve been telling our fans to be ready, budget their time, expect some delays and get here early (for the home opener),” Danburg said.
With the Cavs due to start their run in the NBA playoffs during the second week of April, there could be nights when both teams have home games simultaneously. The traffic
jams will be even more pronounced on those occasions.
“Our fans are accustomed to that,” Danburg said. “They’ll be ready when and if it happens.”
The new food items were introduced by Todd Brazile, executive chef for Delaware North, the food and beverage service provider at Progressive Field.
Displayed on serving trays in the Home Plate Club were The Flamethrower (pork belly, pork, apple slaw, barbecue sauce, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos), pizza logs, Chicken and Tater Tot Waffles, Mac Daddy Dog (hot dog, smoked bacon macaroni and cheese, Kielbasa (with sauerkraut or sauteed peppers and onions), Pop Fly Salad (mixed greens, smoked gouda, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, pecans, raspberry vinaigrette) and various styles
of tacos and nachos.
Many of the new items will be sold at specialty concessions stands, others only in the Home Plate Club and Terrace Club restaurant.
“I’m from Texas originally, so it’s no accident that there’s a Southern feel to a lot of these items,” Brazile said, smiling.
Presentation is an important consideration for Brazile, who signed on with Delaware North’s operation at Progressive Field in September 2017.
“You eat with your eyes,” he said.
Fans attending the home opener and all the games to follow will notice the enhanced safety nets on the lower level. Danburg said the netting was extended an additional 72 feet down each baseline to provide greater protection for fans from foul balls.