Ballpark Village atmosphere!

by **Birdfan2018** » March 6th, 2022, 5:09 pm

With the addition of the “Sports & Social” bar at Ballpark Village it kinda took away some of the excitement from Balley Sports Live. Not sure who else had their pre-game rally at “Sports & Social” but Illinois State had their rally there. Always had it at Balley’s before. Todd Thomas always makes Balley’s a great pre-game atmospheric. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

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by **Rollbird5** » March 6th, 2022, 6:08 pm

Birdfan2018 wrote:With the addition of the “Sports & Social” bar at Ballpark Village it kinda took away some of the excitement from Balley Sports Live. Not sure who else had their pre-game rally at “Sports & Social” but Illinois State had their rally there. Always had it at Balley’s before. Todd Thomas always makes Balley’s a great pre-game atmospheric. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Much better atmosphere when all the team fans are in ballpark village and not at their team hotels or sport and social this year. Always like getting to talk to other teams fans, and developing those connections over the years. Creates a good buzz before the games too when that place is packed

by **Birdfan2018** » March 6th, 2022, 6:21 pm

Rollbird5 wrote:
Birdfan2018 wrote:With the addition of the “Sports & Social” bar at Ballpark Village it kinda took away some of the excitement from Balley Sports Live. Not sure who else had their pre-game rally at “Sports & Social” but Illinois State had their rally there. Always had it at Balley’s before. Todd Thomas always makes Balley’s a great pre-game atmospheric. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Much better atmosphere when all the team fans are in ballpark village and not at their team hotels or sport and social this year. Always like getting to talk to other teams fans, and developing those connections over the years. Creates a good buzz before the games too when that place is packed

Sports & Social is @ Ballpark Village.

by **Rollbird5** » March 6th, 2022, 8:45 pm

Birdfan2018 wrote:
Rollbird5 wrote:
Birdfan2018 wrote:With the addition of the “Sports & Social” bar at Ballpark Village it kinda took away some of the excitement from Balley Sports Live. Not sure who else had their pre-game rally at “Sports & Social” but Illinois State had their rally there. Always had it at Balley’s before. Todd Thomas always makes Balley’s a great pre-game atmospheric. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

Much better atmosphere when all the team fans are in ballpark village and not at their team hotels or sport and social this year. Always like getting to talk to other teams fans, and developing those connections over the years. Creates a good buzz before the games too when that place is packed

Sports & Social is @ Ballpark Village.

my mistake, I always call the main building ballpark village. Need to get used to all the new renovations!

by **Adunk33** » March 7th, 2022, 10:45 am

Redbirds used to have their pregame rally at the BrewHouse at Ball Park Village. Then the main space with the big TVs is where folks would congregate outside of their pregame rallys. Todd Thomas would usually do entertainment between games, evening after games and before the championship. I haven't been since 2019 unfortunately, but looking forward to a full Thursday and Friday of hoops next year!

by **hot nuts** » March 7th, 2022, 1:46 pm

The main BPV common area pregame atmosphere was weak compared to past (non-covid) years. No Rambler fans as usual and only partially filled due to the dispersed pregame activities. Todd Thomas did very little...seemed to be mailing it in. I personally preferred when the focus was all centered in one place. The town seemed way less vibrant...not much to do after/between sessions. Hopefully if we are beyond the pandemic it will somewhat return to what it was. Who knows. I still plan to make my 22nd straight trip next season.

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » March 7th, 2022, 2:32 pm

Probably people trying to avoid Todd Thomas.