SI.com has a new feature article/report on fan experiences at MLB stadiums and Turner Field, home of the Braves, ranks 19th out of 30 venues.

I’ve never been a huge fan of “The Ted” but I don’t dislike it either. It just seems to lack some of the character of an older stadium, the neighborhood feel of some of those same stadiums and it comes off a bit vanilla.

Don’t get me wrong. The old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was as cookie cutter as they come, but isn’t “The Ted” just a newer version, following a different trend.

Sure, this trend is better, but it just lacks character.

Of course, cheap ticket prices and a winning tradition make any experience above average, but on the whole, I think ranking solidly in the middle seems about right to me.

What about you? How does “The Ted” stack up against other ballparks in your mind?

For the record, I like Wrigley Field, but I have roots in the Midwest and I saw my first game their at age 6. I also watched a game at the old Comiskey Park in it’s last season, but was unimpressed.

SI.com is reporting that longtime Braves GM John Schuerholz is stepping down and that Frank Wren, currently an assistant GM, would take over.

Schuerholz was the architect of the Braves success in the 90’s and 00’s and - despite only 1 World Series victory - is hailed by many as the best GM in MLB.

If the report is true, it’s been a great ride and we were lucky to have him. Schuerholz will reportedly stay on as team president (a post formerly held by Yankee-lover and Nationals president, Stan Kasten).

Discuss.

Andruw’s not staying, TBS cedes Braves coverage to Peachtree TV and I don’t feel so good myself.

:-(

At least the Mets aren’t in the playoffs.

Keep your eyes on the bat.

Another version, just in case you think you’re seeing things.

From Wednesday, September 12, 2007 against the Mets @ Shea; your daily dose of YouTube video.

The husband and I were watching the Braves tonight and they mentioned some Auburn University kids who wrote a song about Mark Teixeira. Husband is an Auburn native and graduate, so we had to find the song on YouTube. Not bad for a couple kids sitting on a nasty-looking couch in a crappy college apartment. Turns out that Jeff Francoeur found their video on YouTube (shouldn’t he be practicing or something?), and then somehow the Braves PR department got a hold of it. The Auburn boys were invited to play it at Turner Field. Unfortunately, I can’t find out when or where. Might just be in the Braves live studio there at the field.

Know what rhymes with Mark Teixeira? “Probly marr-ya.” “Mass hysteria.” Stuff like that.

We already set the Tivo up to record it.

Forget Number 25* and his (now) 758*, I’m talking about Bobby Cox’s new gold standard of 132 ejections as a manager.

Way to go, Bobby. It fired up the boys last night as they kept pace with the Mets and Phillies.

Is anyone else getting concerned, though. It’s mid August and our post-All-Star surge has never really materialized.

Sure we’ve got Teixeira and we’ve had no trouble scoring runs, but outside of Smotlz and Hudson, name another starter you trust.

And the bullpen is just as questionable, with Wickman looking more and more like David Wells (in physique) every day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m still not sold on the fact that the Braves can pull it together and make the post season. Much like Mulder (Fox, not Mark), I want to believe.

Let me know what you think.

Oh, and if you’re not already a regular reader of Rowland’s Office, become one.

While at the Braves game on Friday (for Friday Night Fireworks…a real treat since I heart fireworks), my boyfriend pointed out the new All-You-Can-Eat Seats. Yes, for one flat price, you can enjoy an Upper Level seat with unlimited baseball fare like peanuts, hot dogs and popcorn, or you can upgrade to a Lexus Level seat and chow on BBQ and Budweiser. Since concessions at Turner Field are so pricey, at first it kinda made sense to me. But when I actually started thinking about how much food you’d have to eat to get your money’s worth ($25 for the “Ballpark Favorites” and $60 for the “BBQ & More” package), it just grossed me out.

Learn more about snagging these sure-to-be-popular seats.

My girl Bear forwarded me an email about a special Braves event, the header reads:

From: braves.com

To: Bear

Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 6:11 PM

Subject: Get your free bag of needlearts supplies during the Braves Stitch ‘n Pitch event

I can’t see the image when I’m reading it on my handheld and I keep stumbling over “needlearts” first reading as “needle hearts” (I am not alone) then wondering - is this a prison tattoo competition? What the hell are “needlearts”? Don’t they have someone proof read these emails before they go out?

Then I realize ’tis my love-o-knitting that caused Bear to think of me and forward along.

Want the real information? Click here.

Want to giggle? An excerpt from my last incoming from Bear:

I can’t imagine giving a thousand drunk baseball fans knitting needles and not expect at least a dozen hospital trips.One of the reasons the tomahawks given out now are FOAM and not wooden like they used to be.

Ah yeah. Good times, good times…

Mediocrity.

You’re (if you’re a Braves fan or player) soaking in it.

To be honest, since it’s only the first day of May and the Braves are a half-game ahead of the Mets in first place in the NL East, little was needed to right the ship, but last week was a rough one.

The previously-blogged Hudson-’splosion, Bob Wickman blowing two saves, falling behind the Mets.

But last night Andruw’s walk-off homer was a huge lift. A nice punctuation to the beginning of a long homestand. Not quite a win for Hudson, but still a win for the Braves.

And Wickman may be on the DL, but better now than September.

Go Braves (and go home haters)!