BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Open-Door Policy No Hit With Fans

The Dodgers’ new policy of opening the parking lot and stadium doors a half-hour later has some fans and employees complaining.

Except on big promotional games, the parking lot will open 1 1/2 hours before game time and the stadium doors 30 minutes later.

Fans are complaining that an hour doesn’t allow enough time to buy food and settle in.

“I was already in the park (the night of the Freeway Series) because I was being interviewed, but my friends told me it was terrible,” said Betty Chatwood, who is usually first in line for the parking lot to open and says she hasn’t missed a Dodger home game in 20 seasons. “I understand Mr. (Peter) O’Malley wanting to cut costs, but he should at least open the stadium doors at the same time as the parking lot so fans get a chance to get something to eat and have some time before the game starts.”

The change also limits the time fans can watch the visiting team’s batting practice to 15 minutes and excludes them from watching the Dodgers’ batting practice.