Citi Field

[metsforever7515]

Tell that to the 13 thousand Met fans who couldn't attend Opening Day or will never see a Met playoff again. Sorry to offend you dude but a lot of people agree with me that CitiField is another HOK cookie cutter that is a dead ringer for ten other baseball parks all across the country. Is it an upgrade from Shea in some respects. Of course, but could it and should it have been better, of course.

I couldn't get a ticket to OD. I would trade that for a brand new stadium. I'm not going to sit here and say "IF THIS WAS SHEA I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET, I HATE CITI AND ITS 13,000 LESS SEATS!". I was content sitting in my living room watching the game on TV.

[CoreyNYC]

They should have made CF to hold 500,000 people so EVERYONE could go.


Tell that to the 13 thousand Met fans who couldn't attend Opening Day or will never see a Met playoff again. Sorry to offend you dude but a lot of people agree with me that CitiField is another HOK cookie cutter that is a dead ringer for ten other baseball parks all across the country. Is it an upgrade from Shea in some respects. Of course, but could it and should it have been better, of course.

[CFmets09]

scooterfan isn't a mets fan guys he's just trying to stir things up....I bought promenade seats which were perfect in 521 for 27 bucks.....notice "scooter" that's phil rizzuto, he's not fooling anybody

[dstoffa]

The fan who got screwed would have legal recourse against you if your ticket with your account number got out there after you had resold the barcode. The liability is with you but the plaintiff is the end buyer not the Mets

I concur that the end buyer's beef is with the person who sold them the ticket, but that person maybe not the account holder.

What's to stop someone I gave my tickets to from forwarding those tickets as e-tickets, making the originals I gave him null and void, and then having him give them away, yadda-yadda-yadda....

Why should the account holder be responsible for actions taken by others?

[CoreyNYC]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__LJv4LyMFAc/SdOEdOFmSlI/AAAAAAAAI1U/P2C-DS_8vZI/s400/reedfrazier.jpg

[mets16]

This is starting to piss me off. exerciseguy: if you hate Citi be it the capacity or the views, my message is simple: Don't go! Nobody is forcing you to go. I'm sure your TV has better views. I personally sat in almost every section at the ST J game and could see, sometimes I had to stretch to see the corner here and there but for the most part 95% of the park was visible. Shea wasn't perfect either. I sat in the back rows of the loge and the mezzanine, and couldn't see a pop up. It is the sad reality that sports are today. The Mets are going to make more money with suites than some pissy upper deck fans (myself included). I would rather take a state of the art stadium that I have waited years for than a stadium that was for the most part a laughing stock.

We live in a country that you have choices; meaning if you are not happy with Citi Field, you don't have to attend. I have no problem with the seating. I accept it as a sign of the times. Also, you are allowed to catch the game from the bridge, and other places around the place so you can't complain.

While some seats are bad, I think the Mets gave the liberty to move around as an imminent healer. The place will be fixed within the near future.

[NYBase]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_22CiCug9nEc/SdPU95DE_5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/IPrOJChvAOY/s1600-h/dumb-phillies-fan-citi-field.jpg

I just see a "?"

Try it again.

[Coach Bombay]

It's not perfect but no place is... Target Field will have obstructions as well, mark my words!

We'll cross that bridge when it comes, but I'll assure you, I won't be crying over it when people criticize it.

[exerciseguy]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__LJv4LyMFAc/SdOEdOFmSlI/AAAAAAAAI1U/P2C-DS_8vZI/s400/reedfrazier.jpg

That's CBP behind him right?

[islandxtreme26]

JRR opened at 4:40 - Crowd was huge! , However everybody was lined up at the center we cut off to the right and walked right in.

Also the guys selling programs outside would not sell them until 4:40 ! They had quite a line waiting.
Same as Corey, I bought my programs WAY before 4:40 - same place, the far right side of the rotunda gates they were being sold through gate. I got off subway at 3:30 and had my programs bought/handed off to a family member to take home by 3:40pm

[dstoffa]

Anyone park in the Commuter Lot on Monday Morning? Were they charging commuter rates or game-day rates at 7am?

-Doug

[Coach Bombay]

When did I ever say that bombay? No park is perfect there's no need to make a thread of the worst seats you might as well make a thread like this for every ballpark then.

You've been telling posters to be positive. Why should they? If they don't like something about CF, then they have every right to voice it, it's not your job to tell them to ignore it and be positive about it.

[CFmets09]

Looky here, Camden Yards obstructed seats!!!! Everyone bow down to Tim Tebows throne!!!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FqfPuNZroys/Rq5hcBK_EkI/AAAAAAAAGw8/VoKfn_5hK2w/Camden+Yards+(8).JPG

[mets16]

That's CBP behind him right?

No I thought it was Jacobs field, or Camden Yards, or PETCO Park. Get over it. You think people in the 70's were complaining when every multi purpose stadium was built? Something new and exciting cannot be made every 2 years, my friend.

[exerciseguy]

This is starting to piss me off. exerciseguy: if you hate Citi be it the capacity or the views, my message is simple: Don't go! Nobody is forcing you to go. I'm sure your TV has better views. I personally sat in almost every section at the ST J game and could see, sometimes I had to stretch to see the corner here and there but for the most part 95% of the park was visible. Shea wasn't perfect either. I sat in the back rows of the loge and the mezzanine, and couldn't see a pop up. It is the sad reality that sports are today. The Mets are going to make more money with suites than some pissy upper deck fans (myself included). I would rather take a state of the art stadium that I have waited years for than a stadium that was for the most part a laughing stock.

We live in a country that you have choices; meaning if you are not happy with Citi Field, you don't have to attend. I have no problem with the seating. I accept it as a sign of the times. Also, you are allowed to catch the game from the bridge, and other places around the place so you can't complain.

While some seats are bad, I think the Mets gave the liberty to move around as an imminent healer. The place will be fixed within the near future.

Nah, I'd rather complain.

[metsforever7515]

Looky here, Camden Yards obstructed seats!!!! Everyone bow down to Tim Tebows throne!!!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FqfPuNZroys/Rq5hcBK_EkI/AAAAAAAAGw8/VoKfn_5hK2w/Camden+Yards+(8).JPG

Pictures not working here.

[enysteez]

Every ballpark has blindspots.

Even the now, apparently hallowed grounds of Camden Yards (where I've been to many times) has them.
You can't see the corners from the upper levels there either nor can you see the outfield wall if you're in fair territory.

Memory and perception is a funny thing, and because Camden did it first, its special.
And because Shea was the Mets "first" (please, PG was a fill-in) I fully expect it to be accorded the same reverence
and flaw-free status that all dead ballparks get.
"You should have been there" is a refrain we're all guilty of using to make memories sweeter.
For most of the seats, Shea wasn't exactly the ideal place to see a ballgame.

It is ridiculous to expect every seat in a large multi-tier structure to not have some issues seeing the full expanse of a baseball diamond and field.

That said, the decision to go with stairs in the Promenade instead of portals was just plain bone-headed.

But people need to be realistic. There's a reason why some seats cost (behind 1st and 3rd to home) more: they get the best view. Duh.

CF is a terrific ballpark. Perfect? No. What is?
But if you go looking for, or expecting perfection in anything, you're bound to be disappointed.
Real fans (not the "have to be seen on OD flakes") will adjust and come to love it. Hey, we loved Shea and it certainly had its shortcomings.

With regards to the question of whether or not its Mets centric enough,
(Ebbets Club aside) most of this will go away when (and it best happen) they open that long promised Mets Museum. Fingers crossed.

I can see some similarities with Citi and Camden. But look at that picture. The seats at Citi are angled more towards the IF than they are at Camden. The field level is closer tot he field at Citi as there is less foul territory than at Camden. The Pepsi Porch on right is AWESOME and adds another dimension and added area of great views. Theres alot of improvements at Citi over soem of the "older" HOK retro parks. Camden is considered the mold and yet I see so many things were Citi is nicer. PLUS the Mets play here at Citi that alone makes it better then all other parks IMO.

[Ralf]

Anyone else think they won't sell SRO tickets at all? The concourses were pretty packed as it was, I can't see fitting another 2500 people in there.

[mets16]

Nah, I'd rather complain.

Well, It's what you do best.;)

[CFmets09]

You've been telling posters to be positive. Why should they? If they don't like something about CF, then they have every right to voice it, it's not your job to tell them to ignore it and be positive about it.

Get over yourself, i've defended you enough when mets fans have told you to get out of their thread but now you're causing more harm than good.

[Coach Bombay]

Anyone else think they won't sell SRO tickets at all? The concourses were pretty packed as it was, I can't see fitting another 2500 people in there.

Well the concourses being packed probably has to do with people wanting to walk around, I'm sure after the first few series, or maybe even the first season, it will be less crowded in the concourses, when people stay in the seating areas.

[CFmets09]

can anyone see the camden obstructed seat pic I posted? MF said he can't see it.

[exerciseguy]

Well, It's what you do best.;)

As opposed to what, offer conflict resolution?

[Coach Bombay]

Get over yourself, i've defended you enough when mets fans have told you to get out of their thread but now you're causing more harm than good.

I don't need anyone to defend me. Again, stop trying to police this thread. Your fellow Mets are aloud to voice there opinion, wether it's positive or negative.

[enysteez]

My friend has season tickets, the Mets ticket office called him and relocated him to avoid obstructed views. He was relocated to the seats below... Still obstructed. He's now obviously looking into relocating again.

Maybe its just me but that doesnt look that bad to me. Really doesnt. Look slike I can see all of the action from there and miss nothing. Have a rail in front of me. If people start accumulating there say something to keep em moving. No worse than front 2 rows of lodge or the back of field where people lolligag and peruse and stand in front of you.

[exerciseguy]

I really wish you had not folded these two threads together.

[CFmets09]

I don't need anyone to defend me. Again, stop trying to police this thread. Your fellow Mets are aloud to voice there opinion, wether it's positive or negative.

How hypocritical, I guess i'm not allowed to voice my opinion then? That's my opinion so why not let me express that?

[enysteez]

Get over yourself, i've defended you enough when mets fans have told you to get out of their thread but now you're causing more harm than good.

Yeah I cant see it. But I don necesarily need too i know they exist. How could they not? Its a stadium. EVERY stadium will have some obstructed views. Nothing as bad as the old stadiums with the support collums in the stands and such

[scooterfan]

And BTW, check StubHub. There are seats availble for tomorrow night for $10.[/QUOTE]

F stubhub. 10 dollar tickets on that site is more like 25 bucks.

[Coach Bombay]

How hypocritical, I guess i'm not allowed to voice my opinion then? That's my opinion so why not let me express that?

Of course you are... but telling people to be positive and ignore CF's flaws is not an opinion, just stupid suggestion.

[exerciseguy]

Yeah I cant see it. But I don necesarily need too i know they exist. How could they not? Its a stadium. EVERY stadium will have some obstructed views. Nothing as bad as the old stadiums with the support collums in the stands and such

Yeah, but the wasn't Shea, not that I'm saying Shea didn't need to go.

The Mets are guilty of trying to be different exactly the same as everyone else, IMHO. They built a ballpark with 15,000 fewer seats, with a higher percentage of those seats in the outfield, they moved the stands too close, and they eliminated too much foul territory.

If you're sitting in the Ebbet's Club, the Wilpon's box, or the Press Box, I'm sure the view is great.

Well, we're stuck with it, so we better get use to it.

[tfc3rid]

Anyone else think they won't sell SRO tickets at all? The concourses were pretty packed as it was, I can't see fitting another 2500 people in there.

I can't see them selling SRO... Not in 2009, at least.

[CoreyNYC]

A $10 ticket is $11 with the 10% service charge.
Add another $5 per order for e-delivery and you have yourself 2 tickets for $27, 4 tickets for $49.

Sounds pretty good to me considering they are $23 EACH face. Mets fans are really getting the shaft with this new park!


10 dollar tickets on that site is more like 25 bucks.

[tfc3rid]

And BTW, check StubHub. There are seats availble for tomorrow night for $10.

F stubhub. 10 dollar tickets on that site is more like 25 bucks.[/QUOTE]

Yeah? And they would be $30+ from the Mets. Your point?

[GordonGecko]

I concur that the end buyer's beef is with the person who sold them the ticket, but that person maybe not the account holder.

What's to stop someone I gave my tickets to from forwarding those tickets as e-tickets, making the originals I gave him null and void, and then having him give them away, yadda-yadda-yadda....

Why should the account holder be responsible for actions taken by others?

That's a different story, if you sold the hard tickets then it's on the guy who voided those barcodes and let the stubs out.

[johnql]

We ate at the Acela club, which was pretty nice. The food wasn't worth the $150 I paid though, I think the Brunch menu is actually more interesting and I'll have to check that out for a day game. All in all it was a great night, it's too bad the Mets beat themselves but it's just one game and a long season.
GG, good to hear that you got a chance to eat there. I don't suppose you have a copy of the dinner menu that you could post? $150? I guess that includes drinks, tax and tip because isn't dinner supposed to be prix fixe $48?

[nymdan]

F stubhub. 10 dollar tickets on that site is more like 25 bucks.
It's not bad now that they're using e-tickets.

$12 tickets for tomorrow (cheapest available right now) have a $5 service fee and $4.95 delivery fee. That's $33.95, or roughly $17 per ticket. That's not all that much more than the Mets.com service charges, and for this particular ticket, it's still $6 per ticket under face value.

[CFmets09]

Of course you are... but telling people to be positive and ignore CF's flaws is not an opinion, just stupid suggestion.

I never said to ignore CF's flaws and you know that. I explained what I was upset with with the fans but you never responded to that post. Go figure.

[CoreyNYC]

Only the account holder can forward the tickets from his/her acct


I concur that the end buyer's beef is with the person who sold them the ticket, but that person maybe not the account holder.

What's to stop someone I gave my tickets to from forwarding those tickets as e-tickets, making the originals I gave him null and void, and then having him give them away, yadda-yadda-yadda....

Why should the account holder be responsible for actions taken by others?

[tfc3rid]

I never said to ignore CF's flaws and you know that. I explained what I was upset with with the fans but you never responded to that post. Go figure.

Citi Field has flaws but it's one game and every other ballpark has 'flaws' as well.

People calling for them to redo this and that or that this place is a Dodgers shrine clearly has not been inside.

[islandxtreme26]

All of the above = :banghead::rant::thumbsdown::dismay::debate::mad:: :grouchy:crazy:hissyfit:

Man, this is gonna be a great thread for a while :laugh

[johnql]

GG, I see from the CF thread that you got a chance to dine in the Acela Club. I don't suppose you have a copy of the dinner menu that you could post? $150? I guess that includes drinks, tax and tip because isn't dinner supposed to be prix fixe $48?

[metfan61]

The funny thing here is that the view is better the further back/up you go in the upper deck. The stair wells and the LED are non issues in the higher areas.

[metsforever7515]

All of the above = :banghead::rant::thumbsdown::dismay::debate::mad:: :grouchy:crazy:hissyfit:

Man, this is gonna be a great thread for a while :laugh

I once questioned what we would talk about on here after OD. I guess I've found the answer.

[tfc3rid]

All of the above = :banghead::rant::thumbsdown::dismay::debate::mad:: :grouchy:crazy:hissyfit:

Man, this is gonna be a great thread for a while :laugh

Is this insanity or what?

All this uproar makes you wonder if Yankee fans who attended the opener last night are calling in...

[tfc3rid]

The funny thing here is that the view is better the further back/up you go in the upper deck. The stair wells and the LED are non issues in the higher areas.

I can attest to that... Fantastic view of the plate and infield.

[dstoffa]

That's a different story, if you sold the hard tickets then it's on the guy who voided those barcodes and let the stubs out.

I guess it all goes back to traceability... I would hope that the person selling my tickets must register / use CC info in order to do so.

But then it goes back to my original question, "Will the Mets hold the original account holder accountable?" The Yankees used to hold the licensee responsible no matter what happened to the tickets (scalped outside, etc.)...

[BMF]

I tell you one thing with the cats in citi field im staying away from the sushi

[exerciseguy]

Is this insanity or what?

All this uproar makes you wonder if Yankee fans who attended the opener last night are calling in...

Why would you call this discussion "insane" and wonder if it's Yankee fans complaining?

[islandxtreme26]

I once questioned what we would talk about on here after OD. I guess I've found the answer.


Is this insanity or what?

All this uproar makes you wonder if Yankee fans who attended the opener last night are calling in...


"Silence, Lloyd...its F-----G GOLDEN" - Ari Gold

[ribant]

snip
That said, the decision to go with stairs in the Promenade instead of portals was just plain bone-headed.

But people need to be realistic. There's a reason why some seats (behind 1st and 3rd to home) cost more: they get the best view. Duh.

CF is a terrific ballpark. Perfect? No. What is?
But if you go looking for, or expecting perfection in anything, you're bound to be disappointed. snip

I couldn't agree more.

You have hit hit it right on the head on both points

[metsforever7515]

I tell you one thing with the cats in citi field im staying away from the sushi

Lmao! :laugh:laugh:laugh

[metfan61]

I can attest to that... Fantastic view of the plate and infield.

Let's keep it a secret! :laugh

[nymdan]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

[atdy17]

I think the only real major complaint is the stairways. Everything else is small and very fixable.

[islandxtreme26]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.
THREAD POLICE THREAD POLICE...(SIRENS BLARING) Get on topic Dan! Oh wait...that's right...you are! :applaud:

[tfc3rid]

Let's keep it a secret! :laugh

Well, if folks keep calling the Pope and sayign the Prom. Views are terrible, no one will be knocking down our doors for our tix...

I already had someone in my office call me and ask for pics from my seat because they heard the Promenade seating views are bad...

[tfc3rid]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

I thought it was very interesting... Not 42K...

[ribant]

Everyone could have attended Opening Day or get playoff tickets, if they go all in and buy season tickets... I did so that I could get into the Final Game at Shea and Openin Day at Citi... I wanted tickets to all the big games and go when I want to and know I have decent seats.

And BTW, check StubHub. There are seats availble for tomorrow night for $10.

Completely correct.

I don't buy seasons tix, just plans. But I buy the plans I need to get the games I want.

Anyway it's cheaper in the long run to loose some money on a few games and have playoff rights, then pay after market for the same thing

[atdy17]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

Where were the other 993 people? and why didn't they sell their tickets for a reasonable price.

[exerciseguy]

I think the only real major complaint is the stairways. Everything else is small and very fixable.

Moving the stands back, adding foul territory, and a few thousand more seats should be easy enough.

[GordonGecko]

GG, I see from the CF thread that you got a chance to dine in the Acela Club. I don't suppose you have a copy of the dinner menu that you could post? $150? I guess that includes drinks, tax and tip because isn't dinner supposed to be prix fixe $48?
I took a poor contrast picture of the menu, it's not the greatest but I'll post it tonight. It was $48 pre-fixe per person, plus drinks, dessert, and tip. Total bill was $150

[GordonGecko]

Only the account holder can forward the tickets from his/her acct

Selling on StubHub has the same effect as forwarding from your account

[metsforever7515]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

And now I feel great about not getting tickets... 993 people didn't show?! Great...

[GordonGecko]

A $10 ticket is $11 with the 10% service charge.
Add another $5 per order for e-delivery and you have yourself 2 tickets for $27, 4 tickets for $49.

Sounds pretty good to me considering they are $23 EACH face. Mets fans are really getting the shaft with this new park!

Stubhub has a $5 minimum buyer fee. So on two tickets at $10 you're paying $20 plus $5 stubhub fee plus $5 e-delivery fee = $30 = a 50% fee :o

[tfc3rid]

Moving the stands back, adding foul territory, and a few thousand more seats should be easy enough.

Right... That would be the most assinine thing they could do...

Have you ever been inside Citi Field? Have you ever sat in the Promenade Reserve?

[Ralf]

Well the concourses being packed probably has to do with people wanting to walk around, I'm sure after the first few series, or maybe even the first season, it will be less crowded in the concourses, when people stay in the seating areas.

When you see the park in person, then comment on it.

[CoreyNYC]

True. Never thought of that. Also, it should be noted that other teams (the Giants, for one) allow you to transfer any ticket.


Selling on StubHub has the same effect as forwarding from your account

[CoreyNYC]

Wow. Didn't realize that, what a rip off!


Stubhub has a $5 minimum buyer fee. So on two tickets at $10 you're paying $20 plus $5 stubhub fee plus $5 e-delivery fee = $30 = a 50% fee :o

[atdy17]

There were two reasons why citi was downside? first the Mets were basing attendance pre 2006. The highest it ever was 38,193. Second there were under a budget when designing the staduim.

[Ralf]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

I was listening to Howie during the game and he said official seating capacity is around 41200 iirc.

[nymdan]

And now I feel great about not getting tickets... 993 people didn't show?! Great...
No... that's tickets sold, not people through the turnstiles.

[exerciseguy]

Right... That would be the most assinine thing they could do...

Have you ever been inside Citi Field? Have you ever sat in the Promenade Reserve?

Yes, I was there for a tour, the St. John's game, and I'll be there Saturday. How about you?

[ribant]

The funny thing here is that the view is better the further back/up you go in the upper deck. The stair wells and the LED are non issues in the higher areas.

I haven't checked that out yet, but I'm not surprised. I figures you need to be about 5 rows up to not have any obstructions.

[metfan61]

I have to wonder, since CF and NYS were designed at the same time, did HOK put their "A Team" on NYS and the schleps on CF?

NYS is a little more high profile not to mention more expensive.

[exerciseguy]

There were two reasons why citi was downside? first the Mets were basing attendance pre 2006. The highest it ever was 38,193. Second there were under a budget when designing the staduim.

Oh OK, at least they tried.

[metsforever7515]

No... that's tickets sold, not people through the turnstiles.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Gotcha. So 993 weren't sold? Or there are only 41,007 seats in the place?

[tfc3rid]

Yes, I was there for a tour, the St. John's game, and I'll be there Saturday. How about you?

St. John's, Red Sox game, yesterday.

Sat in 3 different locations for all games...

SJU Game was in 401. Sox game was in 320 and yesterday in my ST seats in 521.

[CFmets09]

The view I had from 521 had to be one of the best in the park. No complaints at all.

[atdy17]

Wow. Didn't realize that, what a rip off!

yeah stub hub is the biggest ripoff in the second hand market. They acutely make a case for being the worst ticket seller. Which is a statement when you have Ticketmaster which rips you off like there's no tomorrow.

[johnql]

I took a poor contrast picture of the menu, it's not the greatest but I'll post it tonight. It was $48 pre-fixe per person, plus drinks, dessert, and tip. Total bill was $150
Thanks. As long as it's legible it's fine. Don't know when I'll get a chance to get in there again but I'm still interested in what the dinner offerings are.

[metsforever7515]

I have to wonder, since CF and NYS were designed at the same time, did HOK put their "A Team" on NYS and the schleps on CF?

NYS is a little more high profile not to mention more expensive.

It's the Yankees your talking about. Everything is more high profile and expensive.

[ribant]

By the way, not sure if anybody mentioned this, but yesterday's attendance was 41,007.

That's really interesting. Is capacity actually that low, or did they just not sell around 1K seats for some reason.

[nymdan]

That's really interesting. Is capacity actually that low, or did they just not sell around 1K seats for some reason.
It's probably that low. The Mets actually never gave us an exact figure on the capacity.

[tfc3rid]

It's probably that low. The Mets actually never gave us an exact figure on the capacity.

Great... Now watch the complaints roll on in... :hissyfit:

/sarc

[exerciseguy]

I have to wonder, since CF and NYS were designed at the same time, did HOK put their "A Team" on NYS and the schleps on CF?

NYS is a little more high profile not to mention more expensive.

I can't remember when the Wilpon's first rolled out their model with the retractable roof & field that slid under the parking lot, but it had to be a decade ago.

They knew exactly what they were doing.

[exerciseguy]

St. John's, Red Sox game, yesterday.

Sat in 3 different locations for all games...

SJU Game was in 401. Sox game was in 320 and yesterday in my ST seats in 521.

And do you have any criticisms?

[BMF]

And now I feel great about not getting tickets... 993 people didn't show?! Great...

spilled milk bro. dont let it get you down

[metsforever7515]

spilled milk bro. dont let it get you down

I'm making sure this doesn't happen to me again. Season Tickets for me next year. :D

I'll be there Saturday. Man, I love Citi.

[metfan61]

I can't remember when the Wilpon's first rolled out their model with the retractable roof & field that slid under the parking lot, but it had to be a decade ago.

They knew exactly what they were doing.

It was around 1999 and the plans were very conceptual at thet point. When final plans are drawn up, the viewing angles and capacity are altered and finalized.

[GordonGecko]

I have to wonder, since CF and NYS were designed at the same time, did HOK put their "A Team" on NYS and the schleps on CF?

NYS is a little more high profile not to mention more expensive.

Don't think so, the biggest mess up is on the Wilpons. If you look at the original HOK renderings the upper deck had only rear approach portals. It was some imbecile-savant at the Mets that had the stroke of genius to put a giant stairway full of people in front of the best promenade seats, no doubt thinking of Arthur Ashe Stadium but having no clue about how to apply it in a baseball park

[tfc3rid]

And do you have any criticisms?

None at this point. It's something I'm still learning to have as my team's home. Obviously the stairways are not good for the front row-ers...

The CF area is a bit of a bottleneck... But overall, it's akin to the other new ballparks around MLB. It's a gazillion times better than we had before.

[BMF]

I'm making sure this doesn't happen to me again. Season Tickets for me next year. :D

I'll be there Saturday. Man, I love Citi.

im going thursday. just got them thru a friend:D

[exerciseguy]

It was around 1999 and the plans were very conceptual at thet point. When final plans are drawn up, the viewing angles and capacity are altered and finalized.

i'm sorry, but I suspect that when model as detail as that one was rolled out, it was more than "conceptual".

[metsforever7515]

im going thursday. just got them thru a friend:D

I was planning on getting tickets for tomorrow, can't make it though. I'm so anxious to go to an actual Mets game at Citi.

[exerciseguy]

None at this point. It's something I'm still learning to have as my team's home. Obviously the stairways are not good for the front row-ers...

The CF area is a bit of a bottleneck... But overall, it's akin to the other new ballparks around MLB. It's a gazillion times better than we had before.

How so? I'm not say Shea wasn't rotting, but it was a good place to watch a ballgame & there were enough seats to go around.

I simply wish the Wilpon's had not played follow the leader, they had a chance to build something more appropriate to NYC, to built a unique, modern ballpark, not that dissimilar to the concept of Shea Stadium, but baseball-specific, and building upon the lessons of the last 45-years.

CF is not that ballpark; this is the Wilpon's version of Ebbets Field, of Camden Yards, of Jacob's Field.

[metfan61]

Don't think so, the biggest mess up is on the Wilpons. If you look at the original HOK renderings the upper deck had only rear approach portals. It was some imbecile-savant at the Mets that had the stroke of genius to put a giant stairway full of people in front of the best promenade seats, no doubt thinking of Arthur Ashe Stadium but having no clue about how to apply it in a baseball park

My god, we're in the age of computer graphics, how can they not have seen this mess coming. HOK should have told Jeffrey to leave the designing to them. Eight hundred million dollars, it just boggles the mind!

I wonder who's getting chewed out today on 126'th street.

[CFmets09]

Why is Jacobs Field always in these conversions? That place is an erector set dump IMO, and yes i've visited I have family in Ohio.

[BMF]

dont forget tiger stadium:laugh:laugh:laugh

[Paul W]

no question who looks better in the white jacket!
marisa tomei or gus mauch?

[BMF]

but you know what after shea this beautiful ballpark is just what ny needed. its not quites as pristine as yankee stadium but its also not as dumpy as shea. Also it is just that... a ballpark and not a stadium there is a diference.

[Coach Bombay]

Why is Jacobs Field always in these conversions? That place is an erector set dump IMO, and yes i've visited I have family in Ohio.

I wouldn't say it's a dump, but it's not on the same level as Camden or PNC.

[BMF]

no question who looks better in the white jacket!
marisa tomei or gus mauch?

do they still sell those?

[BMF]

I wouldn't say it's a dump, but it's not on the same level as Camden or PNC.

I think pnc is the prettiest. to bad it in pitt.

[exerciseguy]

On a positive note, I LOVE the outfield dimensions, the height of the wall, and the fact that it will play like a pinball machine!

[enysteez]

Yeah, but the wasn't Shea, not that I'm saying Shea didn't need to go.

The Mets are guilty of trying to be different exactly the same as everyone else, IMHO. They built a ballpark with 15,000 fewer seats, with a higher percentage of those seats in the outfield, they moved the stands too close, and they eliminated too much foul territory.

If you're sitting in the Ebbet's Club, the Wilpon's box, or the Press Box, I'm sure the view is great.

Well, we're stuck with it, so we better get use to it.

Well everywhere that Ive been and sat at the new park the views are great. Including the entire field level, field box, baseline box, metro box, left field reserve, rf reserve, left field landing and pepsi porch. Incredible views and awesome how close you feel tot he field. Ill report on prom when i get there sunday but i have ZERO complaints in regards to the park. The concourses are ultra full but thats part and parcel of the newness of it all. That will subside in due time. Same with parking and exit issues. When people learn what to do and where to go it will get better.

I did see a TON of people standing in the OF concourses and on the bridge during the game so I dont see them selling any SRO tix for the 1st part of the season if at all this year.

[Coach Bombay]

When you see the park in person, then comment on it.

I've been to CF...:cool:

[scooterfan]

Why is Jacobs Field always in these conversions? That place is an erector set dump IMO, and yes i've visited I have family in Ohio.

R, you and I finally agree on something. I visited Progressive Field in July and was disappointed. Do you go to Rutgers undergrad or the law school?

[BMF]

I love this commercial:laugh:laugh:laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6fJylEbmE

do you think they will do these for citi field?

how bout this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1H8KUXnq4c

[keyman]

No... that's tickets sold, not people through the turnstiles.

Tickets Sold - I don't think they count 'comps' in attendence figures. I believe the tickets sold # counts toward revenue sharing. Thats why a ticket thats has a face of $20 gets hit with a $ 5. 'service' fee - The fees don't count.

I'm not sure if I'm correct, but it is my theory. :ooo:

[CFmets09]

R, you and I finally agree on something. I visited Progressive Field in July and was disappointed. Do you go to Rutgers undergrad or the law school?

undergrad in new brunswick

[metfan61]

On a positive note, I LOVE the outfield dimensions, the height of the wall, and the fact that it will play like a pinball machine!

Me too, it looks great on TV! This will be umistakably Mets when we see the black wall with the orange line. I looks very New York industrial. :clapping:nod:

[metsforever7515]

I love this commercial:laugh:laugh:laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6fJylEbmE

do you think they will do these for citi field?

:laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh

I liked the Citi commercial they were running last night.

[enysteez]

Anyone even have an inkling of when single game tix for the summer will be put on sale? I really want to buy seats for a couple of games.

[KoosFan]

On a positive note, I LOVE the outfield dimensions, the height of the wall, and the fact that it will play like a pinball machine!

Ditto! From just the game's point of view, this is going to be the most entertaining park in the MLB.

Once our guys get the hang of it, it'll be one heck of a home field advantage.

[dstoffa]

My god, we're in the age of computer graphics, how can they not have seen this mess coming. HOK should have told Jeffrey to leave the designing to them. Eight hundred million dollars, it just boggles the mind!

I wonder who's getting chewed out today on 126'th street.

4 seats in the first 4 rows. 30 sections. That's 480 seats. Lets say 500. That's 500 paid admissions. That ends up being about 1 million a year in gate receipts alone.

That's what they saw coming....

To remove the stairways and replace them with portals will hit their bottom line, in construction costs alone, then in perpetuity in lost gate revenue / concessions, etc...

[enysteez]

Finally tried the box frites. They were WAY too salty. I mean drenched in salt yuck. But the fry itself was very good. Well cooked and crispy on the outside and very soft inside. Thick cut and very HOT and fresh. So I rate them a B but they can easily be made an A if they relaxed on the salt a bit and the bacon sauce was "meh" average if not below IMO. I think next time Ill go with the ballpark mayo. Oh and a Large is good for 2 adults so its actually not that bad pricing wise.

The mamas special is very good with the red peppers and just another hero without them.

Still havnt tried the tacos, blue smoke bbq, or catch of the day stuff but its a long season lol.

[BMF]

this ones old too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuNQOFePQeM

still made me laff:laugh:laugh a lil broke back mountain maybe?

[atdy17]

4 seats in the first 4 rows. 30 sections. That's 480 seats. Lets say 500. That's 500 paid admissions. That ends up being about 1 million a year in gate receipts alone.

That's what they saw coming....

To remove the stairways and replace them with portals will hit their bottom line, in construction costs alone, then in perpetuity in lost gate revenue / concessions, etc...

couldn't they just add more rows to the back.

[CoreyNYC]

Anyone need Promenade BOX for Tomorrow/Jackie Robinson Night?
2 seats in Sec 424, Row 2.
Face is $42 each, will take $75 for the pair. PM me.

[BMF]

couldn't they just add more rows to the back.

I said the same thing once we saw they were going with stairs because the original rendering had portals

[KoosFan]

Me too, it looks great on TV! This will be umistakably Mets when we see the black wall with the orange line. I looks very New York industrial. :clapping:nod:

The stadium is incredible on tv.
You know you're seeing a new venue that's for sure.
For all the disses about the place being "cookie-cutter", on television, its the most stand alone park out there.

The outfield walls look amazing but they need to work on how they're going to frame the bullpen. Wasn't a decent shot all night.

[metfan61]

4 seats in the first 4 rows. 30 sections. That's 480 seats. Lets say 500. That's 500 paid admissions. That ends up being about 1 million a year in gate receipts alone.

That's what they saw coming....

To remove the stairways and replace them with portals will hit their bottom line, in construction costs alone, then in perpetuity in lost gate revenue / concessions, etc...

They can replace them by adding a section to the end of the outfield upper deck just past the OOTSB.

[atdy17]

I guess if the mets are going to get rid of the stair case it will be during the off season.

[tfc3rid]

How so? I'm not say Shea wasn't rotting, but it was a good place to watch a ballgame & there were enough seats to go around.

I simply wish the Wilpon's had not played follow the leader, they had a chance to build something more appropriate to NYC, to built a unique, modern ballpark, not that dissimilar to the concept of Shea Stadium, but baseball-specific, and building upon the lessons of the last 45-years.

CF is not that ballpark; this is the Wilpon's version of Ebbets Field, of Camden Yards, of Jacob's Field.

Well as a fan, I want Camden Yards, any day of the week...

Problem with Shea is that there were too many seats to go around. And the Mets DID build something modern and unique... Call it an HOK Cookie Cutter but there are unique aspects of Citi field as a whole product.

[Tullydew]

Anyone need Promenade BOX for Tomorrow/Jackie Robinson Night?
2 seats in Sec 424, Row 2.
Face is $42 each, will take $75 for the pair. PM me.


A little expensive dont you think? You can buy a comparable seat on Stubhub in Sec.425 for $24 a piece!!

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-mets-tickets/mets-vs-padres-4-15-2009-721443/

[exerciseguy]

Me too, it looks great on TV! This will be umistakably Mets when we see the black wall with the orange line. I looks very New York industrial. :clapping:nod:

I think I saw this somewhere else, but the black & orange wall is a clear homage to the NY baseball Giants, but it reminds me of the old Batmobile from the 60's TV show, which is kind of cool.

And that reminds me, will people STOP with the "there's not enough blue & orange in the ballpark" crap! How much RED is in Fenway? How much BLUE in Wrigley? Personally, I think that Blue & Orange seats would have been horrific. Do I think there's too much Dodger crap, yes. Would I like to see a Mets hall of fame, yes. But give the place some time to develop a character of it's own. I don't need Blue & Orange crap to remind me where I am.

[atdy17]

I got these two images from the AT&T park thread. It looks like AT&T park has the same problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ross11903/Ballparks/sanfran065.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ross11903/Ballparks/sanfran082.jpg

[exerciseguy]

Well as a fan, I want Camden Yards, any day of the week...

Problem with Shea is that there were too many seats to go around. And the Mets DID build something modern and unique... Call it an HOK Cookie Cutter but there are unique aspects of Citi field as a whole product.

Camden is a perfect fit for Baltimore, Citi Field seems a little out of place over in the Iron Triangle.

[tfc3rid]

I got these two images from the AT&T park thread. It looks like AT&T park has the same problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ross11903/Ballparks/sanfran065.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/ross11903/Ballparks/sanfran082.jpg

The plexiglass issue is a NYC safety code issue. I brought it up earlier in the thread that NYC building code requries some sort of high safety partition.

In Milwaukee, they have these stairways as well, however, there are no laws requiring additional higher safety separation.

[tfc3rid]

Camden is a perfect fit for Baltimore, Citi Field seems a little out of place over in the Iron Triangle.

No, the iron triangle is out of place..

And the Inner Harbor became what it is today because of the Camden Yards development.

[CFmets09]

I think dave howard is coming on, I just tuned into yes and i'm wondering if I heard that right

[metfan61]

the stadium is incredible on tv.
You know you're seeing a new venue that's for sure.
For all the disses about the place being "cookie-cutter", on television, its the most stand alone park out there.

The outfield walls look amazing but they need to work on how they're going to frame the bullpen. Wasn't a decent shot all night.

beware the black dragon!!!!

67900

[metsforever7515]

I like the split UD. I like the fact that you can see the field from the Concourses. I like the open feel.

[ribant]

4 seats in the first 4 rows. 30 sections. That's 480 seats. Lets say 500. That's 500 paid admissions. That ends up being about 1 million a year in gate receipts alone.

That's what they saw coming....

To remove the stairways and replace them with portals will hit their bottom line, in construction costs alone, then in perpetuity in lost gate revenue / concessions, etc...

As much as I agree it was bad planning, the aisle seats in rows A,B & C in Shea's grandstand s**ked becuase people were always in front of you.

Same for rows A,B, and to some degree C in Mezz and Loge.

Note. Nothing personal to you D, you are a pretty smart and fair poster. To me this just is the point where the conversation is getting old.

Can we just get over it already.

Citi is a terrific park. It has some flaws, but I haven't been to a ballyard that didn't.

Just like we all knew the good seats @ Shea soon enough we will all know the good seats @ Citi.

[exerciseguy]

No, the iron triangle is out of place..

And the Inner Harbor became what it is today because of the Camden Yards development.

Good point, we should be so fortunate.

[metsforever7515]

beware the black dragon!!!

67900

I thought we agreed on the "Serpent of Soot".

[KoosFan]

Camden is a perfect fit for Baltimore, Citi Field seems a little out of place over in the Iron Triangle.

Camden Yards was built in a lousy area too.
"Build it and they will come" is what happened there.
New ballpark was a key cog in Baltimore's downtown rejuvenation.

The Triangle will be a thing of the past soon enough.
When that happens, there will probably be some out there getting all sentimental about that too.

"Son, you should have seen Le Triangle de Iron, it was a thing of beauty."

[exerciseguy]

I thought we agreed on the "Serpent of Soot".

What about something simple like "Wilpon's Wall"?

[metfan61]

I thought we agreed on the "Serpent of Soot".

I like SOS myself. We need to take a poll.

[allmysalvation]

I miss those unicorns.

Yeah the unicorns were beautiful at night. One of my favorite things to do at Shea was during the 6th inning of a game, when I was a little stiff from sitting in my upper deck row R seats, which had a completely unobstructed view of about 7,000 square miles, I would walk down behind home plate in the field area, and the ushers would just welcome me in. "Only have an upper deck ticket? Come right on in." Sometimes, for fun, definitely not because you had to, I would sneak in the field level and stand behind the home plate area. Remember that beautiful open area behind home plate? It was so giant and massive, and they were so keen on having you stand there.

Sometimes I would be lucky enough to have a seat in the field level, in section 141. I had row A once! It was wonderful. I enjoyed watching the Center Fielder when the ball was hit to him, and I had a great angle for seeing the scoreboard. The large man next to me seemed to have neck problems, though, and it was a little annoying trying to figure out what he was looking at so far to the left.

And do you guys remember that wonderful outfield seating area, I think they called it "the bleachers." Those benches were the most comfortable things in the world, I could have just fallen asleep resting on my neighbor. I appreciated the closeness of those bleachers. It made the previous subway ride feel like being alone in a baton race.

And who wasn't a little disappointed when they got to CF, and the escalator didn't give them a panic attack? I had come to depend on the upper deck escalator as free shock therapy, and now I have to pretend to be claustrophobic to get some value out of the elevators.

I feel a little bit too close to the action at Citi. i think it might be dangerous? At least at shea you were far enough away that a ball would have slowed down to an absolute crawl before it got to you.

[exerciseguy]

Camden Yards was built in a lousy area too.
"Build it and they will come" is what happened there.
New ballpark was a key cog in Baltimore's downtown rejuvenation.

The Triangle will be a thing of the past soon enough.
When that happens, there will probably be some out there getting all sentimental about that too.

"Son, you should have seen Le Triangle de Iron, it was a thing of beauty."

It's not like there hasn't been a ballpark there for the last 45-yrs.

[ribant]

Camden is a perfect fit for Baltimore, Citi Field seems a little out of place over in the Iron Triangle.

I hate to agree with this guy, but he has a point. Looking at the iron triangle from Citi Field is like looking at a strip mine from Disneyland

[tomzpc]

These same obstructions exist in all ballparks in the corners and outfield seats. They are heightened in ballparks where the seats are closer to the field, so it is more of an issue at Citi than it was a Shea. I am in Excelsior in shallow right and my seats in Shea were same location in Mezzanine. In both the RF corner was cut off. I would say that I lose about another 5-10 feet of the RF corner in Citi than I did at Shea. In exchange for that, I am much closer to the field at Citi. Its not even close. I gladly take the trade. Unless you build a 33,000 seat park like PNC, you can't avoid this problem

Exactly. The reason that the corners are obstructed once you're past the bases on left and right is because the decks are closer to the field. That's the tradeoff. Whether you like it or not is one thing, but to only talk about the obstruction and not to mention the reasons is unfair. I love being closer to the action but I won't deny that losing the leftfield corner bugs me a little. It's not a huge deal though. On average you might miss, what, a part of a couple plays per game? Probably worth being closer.

It was probably a mistake on the Mets part to not be proactive on this though. Dave Howard could have easily come out and said months ago that you will miss the deepest part of the corner from many of the seats but the reason for that is that we decided that it was more important for most people to be closer to the action. This way at least people wouldn't be so 'shocked" by it. Saltzy was on here many weeks ago claiming that a LOT of people were going to be screaming about obstructed views come opening day and he ended up taking a lot of crap for saying so. Seems he was right.

Personally, I like Citi Field, a lot. I don't love it but in time I may. Regardless, it's already head and shoulders above Shea. Shea held great memories but take away those memories and it was one of the worst places in the world to watch a baseball game, at least from a huge portion of it's seats.

[exerciseguy]

I hate to agree with this guy, but he has a point. Looking at the iron triangle from Citi Field is like looking at a strip mine from Disneyland

Why would you hate to agree with me? Because I think Citi Field is plagued with problems & the Wilpons are dimwits?

[BMF]

No, the iron triangle is out of place..

And the Inner Harbor became what it is today because of the Camden Yards development.

i have family in Bmore and before camden yards got fixed up it was a dump too. Inner harbor now looks awesome I'd consider living there now.

[KoosFan]

It's not like there hasn't been a ballpark there for the last 45-yrs.

That's the point, it was built 45 years ago.
Since that time, there's no new place to build in this city.
Now, you HAVE to rebuild.

[exerciseguy]

i have family in Bmore and before camden yards got fixed up it was a dump too. Inner harbor now looks awesome I'd consider living there now.

Take a walk a few blocks from The inner harbor and then tell me if you'd consider living in Baltimore.

[exerciseguy]

That's the point, it was built 45 years ago.
Since that time, there's no new place to build in this city.
Now, you HAVE to rebuild.

There's pl-enty of places to build.

[CoreyNYC]

A little expensive dont you think? You can buy a comparable seat on Stubhub in Sec.425 for $24 a piece!!

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-mets-tickets/mets-vs-padres-4-15-2009-721443/

Didn't check SH, just threw them up here real quick. That said, everything in life is negotiable and I don't charge SH fees.

[ribant]

The stadium is incredible on tv.
You know you're seeing a new venue that's for sure.
For all the disses about the place being "cookie-cutter", on television, its the most stand alone park out there.

The outfield walls look amazing but they need to work on how they're going to frame the bullpen. Wasn't a decent shot all night.


I cannot wait to see it on TV.

For now I've been to ballpark more than I've seen it on TV.

I may never get to say that again after this weekend, but it is fun to say now.

[ribant]

Why would you hate to agree with me? Because I think Citi Field is plagued with problems & the Wilpons are dimwits?

No, its because I think you have elevated trolling to a new level.

[BMF]

Take a walk a few blocks from The inner harbor and then tell me if you'd consider living in Baltimore.

rome wasnt built in a day. the bronx used to be a dump too now developement made it such a nice place to live... atleast to me

[KoosFan]

There's pl-enty of places to build.

That's right, there's just stuff already there.
Show me the unused farmland within city limits.
I'd like to build a new home on it.

[GordonGecko]

A little expensive dont you think? You can buy a comparable seat on Stubhub in Sec.425 for $24 a piece!!

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-mets-tickets/mets-vs-padres-4-15-2009-721443/

Couple things; people on Criagslist and other places don't always know about stubhub or care to use it. Also people think it's going to rain, when the weather clears up tomorrow afternoon many will decide to head to the ballpark. Nothing wrong with asking for face or a bit lower, even if others are giving it away. Sometimes people also just want hard tickets and don't feel like paying fees or creating another online account

[tomzpc]

4 seats in the first 4 rows. 30 sections. That's 480 seats. Lets say 500. That's 500 paid admissions. That ends up being about 1 million a year in gate receipts alone.

That's what they saw coming....

To remove the stairways and replace them with portals will hit their bottom line, in construction costs alone, then in perpetuity in lost gate revenue / concessions, etc...

I disagree. They could just have easily added another row. I think that they did it so that the concourse wouldn't be interrupted by stairways coming down from the portals. just my hunch.

[dpcv8]

And now I feel great about not getting tickets... 993 people didn't show?! Great...

The three seats on either side of me and my friends were empty the whole game.

[tomzpc]

I guess if the mets are going to get rid of the stair case it will be during the off season.


Don't hold your breath. That would be MAJOR renovation. I don't see them taking the jackhammer to all of that brand new precast concrete.

[exerciseguy]

No, its because I think you have elevated trolling to a new level.

And how exactly is that genius?

[thrill5one6]

A little expensive dont you think? You can buy a comparable seat on Stubhub in Sec.425 for $24 a piece!!

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-mets-tickets/mets-vs-padres-4-15-2009-721443/

tempting and $12 infield prom res

[ribant]

And how exactly is that genius?

I didn't say you were genius, I said you are a troll.

[metfan61]

Don't hold your breath. That would be MAJOR renovation. I don't see them taking the jackhammer to all of that brand new precast concrete.

Simple saw cut and adding a little steel for support. Not cheap but do-able.

[exerciseguy]

That's right, there's just stuff already there.
Show me the unused farmland within city limits.
I'd like to build a new home on it.

Who said anything about farmland.

How about the West-Side train yard? How about Coney Island? How about where Ratner wanted to put up The Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn?

That being said, I didn't say they should have built elsewhere, rather CF looks like an inner-city ballpark, and it isn't.

[islandxtreme26]

Take a walk a few blocks from The inner harbor and then tell me if you'd consider living in Baltimore.
Ever lived there? I did...up until the end of last summer...and I am back down there one weekend a month-6 weeks.. You don't know what you're talking about. And don't tell me you have been there - unless you lived there, don't comment to him like a jerk or tell me I am wrong.

There are bad parts of Baltimore like there are ANY city in the country. Baltimore may be the heroin capital of the country, however, that does not mean you should stay away from the city - you stay away from certain areas. And in all honesty, the stories are blown out of proportion. I have been to the worst part of North Baltimore, and even as a tall, skinny, white guy, I have never had an impulse to turn around and leave.

The fact of the matter is, within a 2 mile radius around the park is a beautiful, rebuilt, and cleaned-up city. This same city has transformed itself and become beautiful, even since I first began going down there at the end of the 90's and going to school there at the start of the decade.

Camden Yards revitalized and transformed that area - from people I asked down there, the area around I-95, 295, the Convention Center, MLK Blvd, the Harbor and I-695 was a disaster - a handful claimed it looked worse than pictures they saw of the Triange (hard to believe that though.) The Inner Harbor is tremendous, and aside from pockets of bad spots around the city, there are far better areas to outweight the bad (i.e., Canton, Fells Point, Towson)

I can only hope that the area across the street from our new park looks as good as the area around Camden.

[exerciseguy]

I didn't say you were genius, I said you are a troll.

And I called you a f'ing genius, so explain how & why I'm a troll?

[THINK BLUE]

Yeah the unicorns were beautiful at night. One of my favorite things to do at Shea was during the 6th inning of a game, when I was a little stiff from sitting in my upper deck row R seats, which had a completely unobstructed view of about 7,000 square miles, I would walk down behind home plate in the field area, and the ushers would just welcome me in. "Only have an upper deck ticket? Come right on in." Sometimes, for fun, definitely not because you had to, I would sneak in the field level and stand behind the home plate area. Remember that beautiful open area behind home plate? It was so giant and massive, and they were so keen on having you stand there.

Sometimes I would be lucky enough to have a seat in the field level, in section 141. I had row A once! It was wonderful. I enjoyed watching the Center Fielder when the ball was hit to him, and I had a great angle for seeing the scoreboard. The large man next to me seemed to have neck problems, though, and it was a little annoying trying to figure out what he was looking at so far to the left.

And do you guys remember that wonderful outfield seating area, I think they called it "the bleachers." Those benches were the most comfortable things in the world, I could have just fallen asleep resting on my neighbor. I appreciated the closeness of those bleachers. It made the previous subway ride feel like being alone in a baton race.

And who wasn't a little disappointed when they got to CF, and the escalator didn't give them a panic attack? I had come to depend on the upper deck escalator as free shock therapy, and now I have to pretend to be claustrophobic to get some value out of the elevators.

I feel a little bit too close to the action at Citi. i think it might be dangerous? At least at shea you were far enough away that a ball would have slowed down to an absolute crawl before it got to you.

Love this post :laugh

[DukeBX]

Dave Howard is speaking...

[CoreyNYC]

I wish I was as dimwitted as Fred Wilpon. He built an empire from almost nothing.


Why would you hate to agree with me? Because I think Citi Field is plagued with problems & the Wilpons are dimwits?

[KoosFan]

Don't hold your breath. That would be MAJOR renovation. I don't see them taking the jackhammer to all of that brand new precast concrete.

The only hope would be if consistent bad PR and a steady flow of ticket buyer complaints forces them to address it.

Keep in mind that this ballpark means as much, if not more to the Wilpons as it does to any of us.
It's their "baby", their crowning achievement as team owners.
They no longer have the crutch of Shea to shield them, "it was there before we got here".

It's like the new car in the garage.
The fact that there are dissenters about their showpiece isn't good.
In the ultimate exclusive club called MLB Owners, any blackeye is a bad one.
Like they say in the movie trailers, "this time, it's personal".

So, they'll address it.

Eventually.

[exerciseguy]

I wish I was as dimwitted as Fred Wilpon. He built an empire from almost nothing.

Two words, Bernard Madoff

[CFmets09]

I was actually robbed a few blocks from camden yards 2 years ago after an orioles game. ******** stole my wallet.

[CoreyNYC]

Because he was the only victim and Madoff wasn't a friend.


Two words, Bernard Madoff

[KoosFan]

Who said anything about farmland.

How about the West-Side train yard? How about Coney Island? How about where Ratner wanted to put up The Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn?

That being said, I didn't say they should have built elsewhere, rather CF looks like an inner-city ballpark, and it isn't.

Like I said, with every place you named, there's stuff ALREADY there.
So they have to REBUILD.
And that's what they'll do to the Iron Triangle.
Flatten it and REBUILD.

And then it'll be a fitting place for such a cool team, ballpark and fanbase.

[exerciseguy]

Two words, Bernard Madoff

That is kind of unfair, but I think the Mets, and now the design of this ballpark have been somewhat mismanaged.

[ribant]

And I called you a f'ing genius, so explain how & why I'm a troll?

Correct your grammer first.

You wrote "And how exactly is that genius"? a phrase indicating you think you are a genius. Interesting slip IMHO.

You should have written "And how exactly is that (comma) genius? indicating you are asking a question to someone you respect as a genius.

Well. I thank you for the complement. Rewrite the question and I will reply by the end of the evening.

[exerciseguy]

Like I said, with every place you named, there's stuff ALREADY there.
So they have to REBUILD.
And that's what they'll do to the Iron Triangle.
Flatten it and REBUILD.

And then it'll be a fitting place for such a cool team, ballpark and fanbase.

Only time will tell.

[islandxtreme26]

I was actually robbed a few blocks from camden yards 2 years ago after an orioles game. ******** stole my wallet.
yep - that happens; I agree with you. But, it happens plenty of other places, ya know? I'm just saying, the area is nice - for some troll who is here today irritating everyone on this thread to make a statement just to make noise, he just deserves anything he gets. Too bad it wasn't the troll in Baltimore that happened to, rather than you.

[GuitarPunk2512]

im actually entertained hearing all the complaints, its good to hear what fans experienced. basically what im getting is alot of obstructed views, long lines, cold bland feeling inside, fans that brought the stadium alive was not there last night and im not surprised when 13,000 seats where they use to be is gone and the team played like crap, and that the burgers was amazing and worth the wait and traffic in the concorses was pathetic.

[CFmets09]

yep - that happens; I agree with you. But, it happens plenty of other places, ya know? I'm just saying, the area is nice - for some troll who is here today irritating everyone on this thread to make a statement just to make noise, he just deserves anything he gets. Too bad it wasn't the troll in Baltimore that happened to, rather than you.

Yea I was just saying, it happens everywhere.

[exerciseguy]

Correct your grammer first.

You wrote "And how exactly is that genius"? a phrase indicating you think you are a genius. Interesting slip IMHO.

You should have written "And how exactly is that (comma) genius? indicating you are asking a question to someone you respect as a genius.

Well. I thank you for the complement. Rewrite the question and I will reply by the end of the evening.

I can guarantee you speak with a self-taught lisp, wear square glasses, and have voted for an American Idol.

I'll get back to you with the corrected question, but first you have to promise not to fall in love with me & cyber-stalk me like the last guy you called a troll.

[Ralf]

ASK HIM ABOUT THE stairs over the portals!!!

[GuitarPunk2512]

honestly, i had no problem with shea, i barley went to baseball games and only sat way up in the UD and was fine with it, i went to the game for cheap seats to watch 9 innings have a hot dog check out the store and take pics and leave, i dont need all the extra ammenities here but its a changing sport and its all about the money. i cant give a review on citi cuz i havent been there but im going to miss shea and the cheap seats just to see the mets play.

look at the game now, they mets rather have fans come and spend money on food and spend time playing videogames and in clubs than watching the team play the game like they did at shea. baseball is a business now, not a sport

[GuitarPunk2512]

ASK HIM ABOUT THE stairs over the portals!!!

i know , i want to hear what he has on this

[atdy17]

honestly, i had no problem with shea, i barley went to baseball games and only sat way up in the UD and was fine with it, i went to the game for cheap seats to watch 9 innings have a hot dog check out the store and take pics and leave, i dont need all the extra ammenities here but its a changing sport and its all about the money. i cant give a review on citi cuz i havent been there but im going to miss shea and the cheap seats just to see the mets play.

look at the game now, they mets rather have fans come and spend money on food and spend time playing videogames and in clubs than watching the team play the game like they did at shea. baseball is a business now, not a sport

I am acutely surprised it took the mets this long. Practically every other team in every sport is doing this now.

[playforpay]

francesa forgot to ask howard about the exiting system from the upper deck

[CFmets09]

howard handled the pressure pretty well imo

[EM0909153]

Couple things; people on Criagslist and other places don't always know about stubhub or care to use it. Also people think it's going to rain, when the weather clears up tomorrow afternoon many will decide to head to the ballpark. Nothing wrong with asking for face or a bit lower, even if others are giving it away. Sometimes people also just want hard tickets and don't feel like paying fees or creating another online account

Selling on craigslist has been much better then stubhub, first people don't like to pay the stubhub fees or don't even know how to use it. Even though there a few weirdos who want $5 tickets, whom I just ignore, the majority of people who respond are good people who are interested in tickets. My sales on Craigslist has been phenomenal so far. The next up coming homestand against the Nats and Marlins. I sold Friday over face, I am using the Saturday tickets, sold Sunday over face and sold Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday all for face value against Florida, something that probably never would of happened at Shea. And I have sold a bunch of weeknight games in May for face as well.

[Tullydew]

howard handled the pressure pretty well imo

Yeah he did pretty good. The sad thing is that their actually is "pressure". I'm sure the Met's didn't expect this.

It's going to be interesting on friday if the Yankees are under the same microscope

[CFmets09]

Yeah he did pretty good. The sad thing is that their actually is "pressure". I'm sure the Met's didn't expect this.

I agree, idk who was complaining about the out of town scoreboard though I thought that was awesome. He seemed really surprised by that complaint as did I.

[keyman]

I agree, idk who was complaining about the out of town scoreboard though I thought that was awesome. He seemed really surprised by that complaint as did I.

You can't see OoT in LF - I'm in 531 and cannot see It, So I'd venture to guess 15% of stands cant see it. Plus back rows in field & caesers.

[met_dream]

I sat in the RF upper deck in RYS numerous times and it was pretty much widely known and accepted as a "minor quirk" that you werent gonna see the right fielder catch any deep fly balls.

What outfield Upper decks in baseball exist that DON'T have this same problem? If you are high and above the field on an angle, of course you will miss some part of the action.

People complaining about their $18 seats, who are now free to move about and view the game from almost ANYWHERE on field level, quite frankly, shouldn't be complaining. Some Mets fans are miserable whiny ********.

[met_dream]

Howard said the Mets are setting merchandising and concessions records with Aramark, so they must be doing something right, and someone must be enjoying the ballpark.

[atdy17]

You can't see OoT in LF - I'm in 531 and cannot see It, So I'd venture to guess 15% of stands cant see it. Plus back rows in field & caesers.

I was in the back row of field during the exhibition games and I saw the out of town scoreboard perfectly. I also sat on third base side.

[CFmets09]

You can't see OoT in LF - I'm in 531 and cannot see It, So I'd venture to guess 15% of stands cant see it. Plus back rows in field & caesers.

Well that's probably because it's behind you and that's pretty unpreventable for outfield seats. You're going to have to turn around to see it and of course if you are under the overhang you are not going to see it but that is what happens when you have seats in the outfield.

[nymdan]

Well that's probably because it's behind you and that's pretty unpreventable for outfield seats. You're going to have to turn around to see it and of course if you are under the overhang you are not going to see it but that is what happens when you have seats in the outfield.
Right. And they do occasionally have the out of town scores on the ribbon board, so people in the OF can see anyway.

[atdy17]

I sat in the RF upper deck in RYS numerous times and it was pretty much widely known and accepted as a "minor quirk" that you werent gonna see the right fielder catch any deep fly balls.

What outfield Upper decks in baseball exist that DON'T have this same problem? If you are high and above the field on an angle, of course you will miss some part of the action.

People complaining about their $18 seats, who are now free to move about and view the game from almost ANYWHERE on field level, quite frankly, shouldn't be complaining. Some Mets fans are miserable whiny ********.

people have to realize to have 100% view of the field on right of left field side of the upper deck is to have a a extremely step angle like a 90 degree angle.

[CFmets09]

Right. And they do occasionally have the out of town scores on the ribbon board, so people in the OF can see anyway.

Exactly I saw them rotating out of town scoreboards on the ribbon boards as well. They probably did that for the people in the outfield. Once everybody finds everything and know where they have to look, the complaints will die down and that goes for every part of the park not just the boards.

[nymdan]

Exactly I saw them rotating out of town scoreboards on the ribbon boards as well. They probably did that for the people in the outfield. Once everybody finds everything and know where they have to look, the complaints will die down and that goes for every part of the park not just the boards.
The one complaint I have about the ribbon boards is that the score is at the complete opposite end from the other game info (inning, strikes, balls, outs).

[LI METS FAN]

honestly, i had no problem with shea, i barley went to baseball games and only sat way up in the UD and was fine with it, i went to the game for cheap seats to watch 9 innings have a hot dog check out the store and take pics and leave, i dont need all the extra ammenities here but its a changing sport and its all about the money. i cant give a review on citi cuz i havent been there but im going to miss shea and the cheap seats just to see the mets play.

look at the game now, they mets rather have fans come and spend money on food and spend time playing videogames and in clubs than watching the team play the game like they did at shea. baseball is a business now, not a sport

GuitarPunk2512- I sent you a PM.

[jpr281]

Correct your grammer first.

I thank you for the complement.

Oh, the irony.

[Chip Douglas]

Wasn't sure if this was posted, but did anyone noticed the darkness going down the steps? I was in 516, and had to go to the men's room and going down the steps, there wasn't a light or lamp near the stairs. Someone could easily take a fall. A couple of other fans mentioned it coming up when I was going down.

[dstoffa]

The plexiglass issue is a NYC safety code issue. I brought it up earlier in the thread that NYC building code requries some sort of high safety partition.

In Milwaukee, they have these stairways as well, however, there are no laws requiring additional higher safety separation.

It's a stark contrast from what's over at the Rock in Newark....

The front row of the upper bowl has almost NO safety rail. It consist of a 24" high wall, 12" concrete, 12" plexi glass. The only high safety rails are at the bottoms of staircases. Of course, entrance to the upper bowl is from the top... meaning that to mimic this in Citi, you'd have to build the concourse up at Row 14 of the Promenade level, and have everyone climb down to their seats (and back UP to exit at the end.. unless they opened up the bottom of the bowl for 'emergency exits' at the end of a game.)

[Paul W]

look at the game now, they mets rather have fans come and spend money on food and spend time playing videogames and in clubs than watching the team play the game like they did at shea. baseball is a business now, not a sport

well, mlb always been a business but it's an industry now.
you're right about the spending...

[Dekabreak]

Oh, the irony.
tyranosaras reks

[Bluth Banana]

I had the steak tacos last night and thought they were very good with the lime juice on top and the salsa poured on top. Maybe they were a bit small for the price (you get 2 tacos), but that's my only minor complaint.

I also had the chicken fingers and wow are they improved from Shea. Maybe it's because the season is still young and the frying oil is still fresh but they were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside (unlike Shea's mushy on the outside, dry on the inside).

Also, Shake Shack should have online ordering so I can order from my computer, pay for it online and tell them what time I'll be there to pick it up. This way I (we) can skip the line and pick up my burger and then go back to watching the game.

[CFmets09]

Shake Shack was easily one of the best burgers I have ever had. The beef was like steak it was amazing.

[keyman]

Well that's probably because it's behind you and that's pretty unpreventable for outfield seats. You're going to have to turn around to see it and of course if you are under the overhang you are not going to see it but that is what happens when you have seats in the outfield.

Can't see it turning around where we are. And I suspect the two levels below aren't going to see it either.
If the OoT was under CF scoreboard it would be better. Best solution is Two OoT one on each side.
The ribbon board only shows the score of one game at a time - and not between innings, so you gotta stop watching the field to try a read it. And even so - the damn subway ads on the ribbon are so much brighter then the other text, it is hard to read.

[dstoffa]

howard handled the pressure pretty well imo

The audio is now up on the WFAN Mike Francessa audio page.

[CFmets09]

Can't see it turning around where we are. And I suspect the two levels below aren't going to see it either.
If the OoT was under CF scoreboard it would be better. Best solution is Two OoT one on each side.
The ribbon board only shows the score of one game at a time - and not between innings, so you gotta stop watching the field to try a read it. And even so - the damn subway ads on the ribbon are so much brighter then the other text, it is hard to read.

I understand but you're under an overhang and when you buy outfield seats you have to presume that you may not see every board perfectly that's just the way it is. At least you can see the main scoreboards fine which is most important.

[keyman]

I understand but you're under an overhang and when you buy outfield seats you have to presume that you may not see every board perfectly that's just the way it is. At least you can see the main scoreboards fine which is most important.

There's the problem, many seats are some sort of compromise.

I had Field 109 for 4/3 and could not see the main RF scoreboard.
The caesars club I had for St Johns we're very nice, but at $115 average, thats hard to justify.

[MetsFan24]

-----------------------------

[dstoffa]

That's really interesting. Is capacity actually that low, or did they just not sell around 1K seats for some reason.

The Mets did not sell 'Big Apple Reserve' tickets for Opening Day... Those 'free' tickets for the owner's buddies do not count as 'official' attendance, becuase they were comp'ed.

[nymdan]

The Mets did not sell 'Big Apple Reserve' tickets for Opening Day... Those 'free' tickets for the owner's buddies do not count as 'official' attendance, becuase they were comp'ed.
Oh, true, good point. I remember the Nats attendance was low last year too, and they said the reason is because the complimentary tickets don't count towards the paid attendance.

[tomzpc]

honestly, i had no problem with shea, i barley went to baseball games and only sat way up in the UD and was fine with it, i went to the game for cheap seats to watch 9 innings have a hot dog check out the store and take pics and leave, i dont need all the extra ammenities here but its a changing sport and its all about the money. i cant give a review on citi cuz i havent been there but im going to miss shea and the cheap seats just to see the mets play.



But nothing has changed in that regard! You can still sit in the cheap seats, except now you'll be closer to the action. No one is being shut out here.

[MetsFan24]

A panoroma from my seats in the porch last night.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss18/57MetsFan75/CitiPan2.jpg

[KoosFan]

Oh, true, good point. I remember the Nats attendance was low last year too, and they said the reason is because the complimentary tickets don't count towards the paid attendance.

The Nats attendance problem has more to do with the fact that the novelty of a new ballpark wears off pretty quick when the team stinks.
Paying to see a team lose significantly more than they win is not an entertaining way to spend time or hard earned cash.

A cautionary tale for even the NY Mets, especially at these ticket prices.

[Paul W]

nationals attendance problem is that d.c. isn't a baseball city...
having a aa team doesn't help!

[Paul W]

isn't it nice that seinfeld has friends like the wilpons?
privilege has it's perks...

[alpineinc]

Re: my earlier posts, does anyone have 2 tix for WC seating in the Promenade ($30 face) for Saturday 4/18? Mets have THREE available up there, but not 2 (??). I may just buy the 3 and eat one, but I'd prefer not if I can help it.
Also with the WC seating, looking to sell my Sec 106 Row 10 (6) for face that day. PM me, thanks.

[KoosFan]

nationals attendance problem is that d.c. isn't a baseball city...
having a aa team doesn't help!

I lived in DC for 12 years (having recently moved from there) and I beg to differ. Attendance for the Nats was pretty solid that first season when they were competitive (heck they were in first place at the All Star break).

But once the team started to play poorly, the fans haven't come out.
DC is a funny sports town. A long history of bad teams (across all the major sports) doesn't help.
The Nats are pathetic right now and until they improve, their attendance will be as well.

BYW - your point about it not being a baseball town makes no sense since the area has supported multiple minor league teams as well as the Orioles for years. Winning, or at the very least being competitive, makes all the difference.

[dkny330]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but I have seats in Section 524, Row 4 - right past 3rd base. Last night was the first game I could attend and was surprised and very disappointed that once the ball went into left field so did our view of what was happening. We never knew if the ball was going foul or landing in fair territory.

Even David Wright's HR was barely visible. I mean if you are going to build a new stadium, being able to see most of the field, if not all of it is critical. While Shake Shack is nice, I could eat for a lot less at home, pay $18 less to park my car and see the whole field on my TV. The point being I go to the game to see the game first and then the amenities come second. I think the Mets should refund a portion of their tickets for all in Promenade Reserved who have these majorly obstructed views. The Yankees did this for their fans, its about time The Mets do right by us as well!

[Paul W]

baseball towns support teams up & down...
d.c. has already lost 2 franchises.

read today's - http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2009/04/3634_nats_opening_da.html#comments

trumped-up ballpark "neighborhoods" don't work...

[citifaithful]

Maybe I'm being too sensitive. After all, I didn't build the park. But I can't help but be surprised and disappointed in the responses of the WFAN callers and hosts today.

My opinion means no more than a fan that just stepped foot in the park yesterday. I've been an avid viewer of this site since the last game at Shea and have tried to gain as much knowledge regarding the park as I possibly could. We're supposedly all fans. But some of these complaints are utterly ridiculous.

I've been to Citizens Bank Park about a dozen times and I've always purchased Pavilion tickets or whatever they're called. They're the cheapest seats in the house, typically in right field. There are many blind spots in the outfield. When Delgado hit a homer to right field over there, I couldn't see if it went over the wall because of the angle. I didn't celebrate until i saw other fans' reactions at sections that had a clearer view. Yet CBP is hailed as a great park, a better park according to some and Citi gets crucified for it. I've been to many of these new parks, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but they're all angled like that in order to bring you closer to the infield. So if you're going to knock Citi for their model, then be fair and criticize all of them! What about exterior? It took me a while to learn to really admire CBP but I did and even after that, I never liked the exterior of the place. Citi Field's exterior is just beautiful. Why the criticisms are coming just now about Ebbett's field is mind blowing. After 3 events that most die hard fans attended, and years of staring at pictures, after the official home opener is when fans flood the phone lines to complain about it. i read a few complaints about it here, which is fair but what happened today on the radio is insane.

PNC and ATT park. They're beautiful. I love them both, but their surroundings are what makes these park. You take away Mcovey Cove and the Allegheny River along with the bridges, and how would they be superior to any run of the mill ballpark? ATT fans have complained about their plexi glass situation for years as well. And if you don't believe me, check their forum. PNC Park seats less than 40,000 fans. 38,000 to be exact. Imagine how fans would have reacted to that capacity. The backgrounds are their bread and butter. The Mets did not have that luxury. They're surrounded by really crappy shops. So they had to go in a different direction and did wonderfully doing so. It wasn't cheap but they did it.

Enough with the Mets posters and signs and the Dodgers junk. Jackie represents the evolution of this country and the world. He doesn't have to be a Met to celebrate his legacy. All of baseball does so. He played for New York and spent not one day in an LA uniform. I understand Tom Seaver is forever a Met and hall of famer, but the Rotunda does not celebrate performance on the diamond. That's only a small percentage. There's a bigger picture going on. I believe the Mets haven't even scratched the surface regarding putting up more Mets stuff, though there is already lots of representation. It's just not good enough according to some.

I do think exiting the stadium was tougher than anticipated from the promenade. But give it time. I already know the best exit spots for myself. And thousands can do the same just by learning the landscape.

That's all I can say for now. I'm shocked and disappointed in the some of these fans. I bet these are the same people that all booed Piazza, the best hitter in franchise history, in 1998 during a brief slump. The same people who booed Beltran, the greatest active center fielder, at the beginning of 2006. The same people whoe booed Delgado, who carried the team back in a pennant race, last season. The same people who booed Johan Santana, the best starter in baseball, after 1 bad start against the Brewers. Unreal. And complain about prices. Just remember last year at opening day, fans paid $35 for the cheapest ticket. This year? $27.

Unreal guys.

[5ivese7enf15teen]

Maybe I'm being too sensitive. After all, I didn't build the park. But I can't help but be surprised and disappointed in the responses of the WFAN callers and hosts today.

My opinion means no more than a fan that just stepped foot in the park yesterday. I've been an avid viewer of this site since the last game at Shea and have tried to gain as much knowledge regarding the park as I possibly could. We're supposedly all fans. But some of these complaints are utterly ridiculous.

I've been to Citizens Bank Park about a dozen times and I've always purchased Pavilion tickets or whatever they're called. They're the cheapest seats in the house, typically in right field. There are many blind spots in the outfield. When Delgado hit a homer to right field over there, I couldn't see if it went over the wall because of the angle. I didn't celebrate until i saw other fans' reactions at sections that had a clearer view. Yet CBP is hailed as a great park, a better park according to some and Citi gets crucified for it. I've been to many of these new parks, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but they're all angled like that in order to bring you closer to the infield. So if you're going to knock Citi for their model, then be fair and criticize all of them! What about exterior? It took me a while to learn to really admire CBP but I did and even after that, I never liked the exterior of the place. Citi Field's exterior is just beautiful. Why the criticisms are coming just now about Ebbett's field is mind blowing. After 3 events that most die hard fans attended, and years of staring at pictures, after the official home opener is when fans flood the phone lines to complain about it. i read a few complaints about it here, which is fair but what happened today on the radio is insane.

PNC and ATT park. They're beautiful. I love them both, but their surroundings are what makes these park. You take away Mcovey Cove and the Allegheny River along with the bridges, and how would they be superior to any run of the mill ballpark? ATT fans have complained about their plexi glass situation for years as well. And if you don't believe me, check their forum. PNC Park seats less than 40,000 fans. 38,000 to be exact. Imagine how fans would have reacted to that capacity. The backgrounds are their bread and butter. The Mets did not have that luxury. They're surrounded by really crappy shops. So they had to go in a different direction and did wonderfully doing so. It wasn't cheap but they did it.

Enough with the Mets posters and signs and the Dodgers junk. Jackie represents the evolution of this country and the world. He doesn't have to be a Met to celebrate his legacy. All of baseball does so. He played for New York and spent not one day in an LA uniform. I understand Tom Seaver is forever a Met and hall of famer, but the Rotunda does not celebrate performance on the diamond. That's only a small percentage. There's a bigger picture going on. I believe the Mets haven't even scratched the surface regarding putting up more Mets stuff, though there is already lots of representation. It's just not good enough according to some.

I do think exiting the stadium was tougher than anticipated from the promenade. But give it time. I already know the best exit spots for myself. And thousands can do the same just by learning the landscape.

That's all I can say for now. I'm shocked and disappointed in the some of these fans. I bet these are the same people that all booed Piazza, the best hitter in franchise history, in 1998 during a brief slump. The same people who booed Beltran, the greatest active center fielder, at the beginning of 2006. The same people whoe booed Delgado, who carried the team back in a pennant race, last season. The same people who booed Johan Santana, the best starter in baseball, after 1 bad start against the Brewers. Unreal. And complain about prices. Just remember last year at opening day, fans paid $35 for the cheapest ticket. This year? $27.

Unreal guys.

Amen. :clapping :clapping :clapping

[whoisonit]

Great post, especially this ->




Enough with the Mets posters and signs and the Dodgers junk. Jackie represents the evolution of this country and the world. He doesn't have to be a Met to celebrate his legacy. All of baseball does so. He played for New York and spent not one day in an LA uniform. I understand Tom Seaver is forever a Met and hall of famer, but the Rotunda does not celebrate performance on the diamond. That's only a small percentage. There's a bigger picture going on.

[tomzpc]

Maybe I'm being too sensitive. After all, I didn't build the park. But I can't help but be surprised and disappointed in the responses of the WFAN callers and hosts today.

My opinion means no more than a fan that just stepped foot in the park yesterday. I've been an avid viewer of this site since the last game at Shea and have tried to gain as much knowledge regarding the park as I possibly could. We're supposedly all fans. But some of these complaints are utterly ridiculous.

I've been to Citizens Bank Park about a dozen times and I've always purchased Pavilion tickets or whatever they're called. They're the cheapest seats in the house, typically in right field. There are many blind spots in the outfield. When Delgado hit a homer to right field over there, I couldn't see if it went over the wall because of the angle. I didn't celebrate until i saw other fans' reactions at sections that had a clearer view. Yet CBP is hailed as a great park, a better park according to some and Citi gets crucified for it. I've been to many of these new parks, and I hate to beat a dead horse, but they're all angled like that in order to bring you closer to the infield. So if you're going to knock Citi for their model, then be fair and criticize all of them! What about exterior? It took me a while to learn to really admire CBP but I did and even after that, I never liked the exterior of the place. Citi Field's exterior is just beautiful. Why the criticisms are coming just now about Ebbett's field is mind blowing. After 3 events that most die hard fans attended, and years of staring at pictures, after the official home opener is when fans flood the phone lines to complain about it. i read a few complaints about it here, which is fair but what happened today on the radio is insane.

PNC and ATT park. They're beautiful. I love them both, but their surroundings are what makes these park. You take away Mcovey Cove and the Allegheny River along with the bridges, and how would they be superior to any run of the mill ballpark? ATT fans have complained about their plexi glass situation for years as well. And if you don't believe me, check their forum. PNC Park seats less than 40,000 fans. 38,000 to be exact. Imagine how fans would have reacted to that capacity. The backgrounds are their bread and butter. The Mets did not have that luxury. They're surrounded by really crappy shops. So they had to go in a different direction and did wonderfully doing so. It wasn't cheap but they did it.

Enough with the Mets posters and signs and the Dodgers junk. Jackie represents the evolution of this country and the world. He doesn't have to be a Met to celebrate his legacy. All of baseball does so. He played for New York and spent not one day in an LA uniform. I understand Tom Seaver is forever a Met and hall of famer, but the Rotunda does not celebrate performance on the diamond. That's only a small percentage. There's a bigger picture going on. I believe the Mets haven't even scratched the surface regarding putting up more Mets stuff, though there is already lots of representation. It's just not good enough according to some.

I do think exiting the stadium was tougher than anticipated from the promenade. But give it time. I already know the best exit spots for myself. And thousands can do the same just by learning the landscape.

That's all I can say for now. I'm shocked and disappointed in the some of these fans. I bet these are the same people that all booed Piazza, the best hitter in franchise history, in 1998 during a brief slump. The same people who booed Beltran, the greatest active center fielder, at the beginning of 2006. The same people whoe booed Delgado, who carried the team back in a pennant race, last season. The same people who booed Johan Santana, the best starter in baseball, after 1 bad start against the Brewers. Unreal. And complain about prices. Just remember last year at opening day, fans paid $35 for the cheapest ticket. This year? $27.

Unreal guys.

GREAT post! I agree with you 100%. Wish you would call the FAN tomorrow.

[nymdan]

From Mets Refugees...

My friend was at Dodger Stadium yesterday, sitting in the yellorw(field level), pretty close to the field. He had to stand up and strain to see Hudson's HR, and still didn't see it go over the fence in the corner due to a blind spot.

So he was laughing at me when I told him Mets fans were complaining of some blind spots at Citi

It's just a [expletive] fact of watching a live game.

People just don't realize it because they're so used to sitting at Shea, a mile away from the action.

[tomzpc]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but I have seats in Section 524, Row 4 - right past 3rd base. Last night was the first game I could attend and was surprised and very disappointed that once the ball went into left field so did our view of what was happening. We never knew if the ball was going foul or landing in fair territory.

Even David Wright's HR was barely visible. I mean if you are going to build a new stadium, being able to see most of the field, if not all of it is critical. While Shake Shack is nice, I could eat for a lot less at home, pay $18 less to park my car and see the whole field on my TV. The point being I go to the game to see the game first and then the amenities come second. I think the Mets should refund a portion of their tickets for all in Promenade Reserved who have these majorly obstructed views. The Yankees did this for their fans, its about time The Mets do right by us as well!

It's HARDLY a "major" obstructed view. The seats in NYS that you are talking about can't see half of the field. I'm in row 7 in your section. It will affect a few plays per game but in the end I'll take it because I'm closer to the field.

[BuddyJas]

You are absolutely right. I'd much rather sit closer to the action for the entire game rather than have a full view of the field. Where I sit, the left field corner is cut off. So I may miss one or two plays a game. I'll take that trade-off anytime.

[bigshea1964]

I have been hearing and reading the complaints about Citi Field. Here is my take on some of the major complaints.

1. Blind Spots/Obstructed views in the outfield.
By just looking at the upper part of the Pepsi Porch, you could tell there would be difficulty seeing the rf going back or seeing hrs to rf. I am not a geometry major, but the fact that the seats were purposely brought closer to the field and where they are located in the outfield, there are going to be blind spots. The only way around it is to move the seats back and make them higher and steeper. This would defeat the purpose of making the park closer to the action. Remember there are many more seats in fair territory than there were at Shea. For those who remember the OF upper deck seats at Shea in the 40s sections, there were blind spots and you were much further away then the OF seats at Citi.

2. Can not see the out of town scoreboard.
I do not know where you could put it so everyone in the park can see it without turning or see it at all. Before the Pepsi sign was put up, I thought that could be a good location. Even there, there would be people who can not see it. The other new ball park in town does not appear to have a complete out of town scoreboard that shows all games all of the time. I thought Shea had the best scoreboard in the league. To be honest, The two main boards a Citi Field are pretty darn good as well. As far as the out of town scoreboard, Shea did not have that many outfield seats and the people who use to sit in those bleachers did not get a good view of the scoreboard. The point, Everyone including myself has to get use the the new seating configuration and remember where ever the board was placed, someone is not going to see it.

3. Not enough Mets theme and more Dodger theme.
I agree that Mets history has to be much more prevalent in CF. Joan Payson, Bill Shea, Doc Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Jerry Koosman and others should be honored throughout the park. I know there is stuff outside, but there needs to be much more inside. As for the Dodgers, I think the Mets are honoring Jackie Robinson not the Dodgers which I have no problem with. Jackie Robinson was a great ball player and a great person and should be honored because he was a great part of NY baseball history as well as baseball history. How many people wanted the park to be named after Jackie Robinson before naming rights were sold to Citi Group.

4. Long lines at the concessions.
I think over time this will get better. New people, new park. As the workers and fans get more familiar and the newness dies down, it will get better.

5. The outfield fences are too high.
I like the fact that they tried to make Citi Filed a pitcher's park. I heard a lot of complaints in the past that Citizens Bank Ballpark and Minute Maid Field were band boxes. Not too long ago, the league leaders in HRs would have about 35-40 not 50 and 60. At least no one will hit a cheap HR. If it gets too bad, I am sure that the fences can be tweaked a little bit just like the Tigers park.

Are there flaws in Citi Field, yes there are. Do these flaws make the park a failure, absolutely not. Traffic issues, concessions, people flow in the park will get better over time. I think we need to give the park a few months to see if things get better. This was the first sell out and it takes time to work out the kinks.

[JoseJoseJose7]

Hey pretty off topic but the jets season schedule just came out. The jets are playing the bengals there last game >_> looks like both the mets and jets have learned from the past, playing miami the last game of the season isnt the best idea ugh

anybody going tomorrow? any idea who might be throwing out the first pitch

[nymdan]

I think I've posted this before, but it's appropriate with all of this talk of pushing the seats forward and blind spots. Here's a comparison of seats at about the same height at Citi and Shea (my Sunday seats at both). Shea was row F of the upper reserved, Citi is row 17. Look how much closer. I'll take the second view with a small blind spot any day.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3680/20080727003.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2236/247x.jpg

[NYMfanChris]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but I have seats in Section 524, Row 4 - right past 3rd base. Last night was the first game I could attend and was surprised and very disappointed that once the ball went into left field so did our view of what was happening. We never knew if the ball was going foul or landing in fair territory.

Even David Wright's HR was barely visible. I mean if you are going to build a new stadium, being able to see most of the field, if not all of it is critical. While Shake Shack is nice, I could eat for a lot less at home, pay $18 less to park my car and see the whole field on my TV. The point being I go to the game to see the game first and then the amenities come second. I think the Mets should refund a portion of their tickets for all in Promenade Reserved who have these majorly obstructed views. The Yankees did this for their fans, its about time The Mets do right by us as well!



thats not an obstruction. just because u cant see LF corner. ALL NEW PARKS have that issue because they put seats closer to the field. its not new

[DukeBX]

Howard says he considers obstruction being a beam,not handles or see-through glass.:ooo:

[nymets3007]

Well judging by some pictures of parts of the parking lot, Cohen was not correct, and the parking lot was not finished (?). How much was not finished (paved)?

Also, how was the parking at the former main non-prepaid parking lot at Shea? This was the one that was straight across from Gate D/E, I believe.

[nymdan]

Well judging by some pictures of parts of the parking lot, Cohen was not correct, and the parking lot was not finished (?). How much was not finished (paved)?

Also, how was the parking at the former main non-prepaid parking lot at Shea? This was the one that was straight across from Gate D/E, I believe.
Same as always.

[li7039]

By chance on saturday do you think that the any of the TVs in the ceasers club will have the Rangers Caps playoff game on? I have tix to the met game and i can't get out of it and I flat out can't miss a playoff game. Any Help?

[NYMfanChris]

id think they will prolly 1 with nba playoffs on as well

[offthewall]

you get 5% cashback through this site (4% to 6% back on a few other ticket reseller websites such as razorgator, etc...)

i think you can combine it with those $10 discount codes.

under shop by category go to the "events" tab. need to sign up (takes 5 seconds). they can send the $ via paypal.

http://www.cashbaq.com/?refer=480046

[KoosFan]

baseball towns support teams up & down...
d.c. has already lost 2 franchises.

read today's - http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2009/04/3634_nats_opening_da.html#comments

trumped-up ballpark "neighborhoods" don't work...

True, that's why we're Mets fans and not Yankee fans.
But even Mets fans disappeared during the really bad years.
I know, I was at Shea plenty of times in the late 70s early 80s where the place was nearly empty.

Mets, as heartbreaking as they have been since about "97, would be dealing with poor attendance too if they weren't at least competitive.

A bad product is a bad product, I don't care where the team is.

[RayNY]

I'll take the second view with a small blind spot any day.



I think the big issue here is that the blind spot at Citi Field is apparently not that small. There's a significant amount of space that is obstructed and that's why fans are upset. I don't think people would be so upset if the blind spot was just a few square feet.

[BMF]

The Nats attendance problem has more to do with the fact that the novelty of a new ballpark wears off pretty quick when the team stinks.
Paying to see a team lose significantly more than they win is not an entertaining way to spend time or hard earned cash.

A cautionary tale for even the NY Mets, especially at these ticket prices.

its great for cheap tickets when your teams in town though:laugh:laugh:laugh

[DukeBX]

i'm glad that they contacted howard. mr. mike'd up said that it's great that howard changed his mind about appearing on the radio. i guess howard didn't want to appear. that wouldn't have looked good. you can tell that he wasn't much in the mood to talk at the start. kinda like when you have to go to the airport at 5am and you're still tired. he did say that eventually more mets stuff will be added. he said eventually,but not in the sense that it was in the plans.you can tell in his voice that he left it up there for the future.it was mostly said cause of all the backlash/callers. he defended the Dodgers/Jackie stuff at the rotunda. he said that the citi field/rotunda wasn't made to honor the dodgers. it was a place fred remembers fondly as a child and wanted to have it built. it was meant for a man that played baseball in NY,not LA. a man that people can be proud of.a place for NY to remember it's NL roots. he also said that wednesday is another historic day,with it being JR celebration around baseball. Ms robinson will be there. mike did tell him that many mets want their history shown there,not dodger stuff. this is good feedback that i think will clearly go to the wilpons. you can make a place from many years back,honoring a team that you grew up. but when you own a team,and it's not the one you grew up with,you have to respect that current teamm history and it's fans. i wonder if jeff is saying to his dad,"I told you it should have had more mets stuff,dad.":D

[nymdan]

By chance on saturday do you think that the any of the TVs in the ceasers club will have the Rangers Caps playoff game on? I have tix to the met game and i can't get out of it and I flat out can't miss a playoff game. Any Help?
Sell the tickets?

[Ralf]

I think I've posted this before, but it's appropriate with all of this talk of pushing the seats forward and blind spots. Here's a comparison of seats at about the same height at Citi and Shea (my Sunday seats at both). Shea was row F of the upper reserved, Citi is row 17. Look how much closer. I'll take the second view with a small blind spot any day.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3680/20080727003.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2236/247x.jpg

Thats a great comparison shot but, I have to say, they pretty much seem the same distance to me.

I'm kind of missing Shea now. As nice and new as Citi is, maybe Doubleday was right about just renovating Shea. :ooo:

[GordonGecko]

you get 5% cashback through this site (4% to 6% back on a few other ticket reseller websites such as razorgator, etc...)

i think you can combine it with those $10 discount codes.

under shop by category go to the "events" tab. need to sign up (takes 5 seconds). they can send the $ via paypal.

http://www.cashbaq.com/?refer=480046

ebates is better and has been around longer
http://www.ebates.com/search/all.htm?store_name=stubhub&x=0&y=0

[li7039]

Sell the tickets?

There my mom and dads tickets. And since im 17 i have very little say in what goes on.

[nymdan]

Thats a great comparison shot but, I have to say, they pretty much seem the same distance to me.

I'm kind of missing Shea now. As nice and new as Citi is, maybe Doubleday was right about just renovating Shea. :ooo:
Look at how much of the field level stands you see at Shea, compared to at Citi. Shows you how far pushed back you were at Shea.

[DiggerODell]

Look at how much of the field level stands you see at Shea, compared to at Citi. Shows you how far pushed back you were at Shea.

SSSshhhh. Watch the game. ;-)

[Shbmets]

i he did say that eventually more mets stuff will be added. he said eventually,but not in the sense that it was in the plans.you can tell in his voice that he left it up there for the future.it was mostly said cause of all the backlash/callers. :D

That really angered me. The original information on the website for the past 3 years included an "Expanded Fan Fest family entertainment area; New York Mets interactive museum and Hall of Fame." Why couldn't miserable Mike have done his homework and challenged Howard about this.