Citi Field

[ribant]

And yet a "Single Game Pre-Sale" is clearly listed among the "Current Benefits" (as opposed to "New For 2010") of being a season ticket holder.

I expect a presale date date will be announced soon. It's just not something to renege on. Although with out the "big four games" not for sale it really isn't a huge perk.

[robardin]

As someone else posted above promo's get added as the season goes along. Last season Build a Bear wasn't announced until the early summer.

I don't think so, at least not for B-a-B. I do remember they added a few promos, like the Batting Helmet game in September, some time around mid-summer (maybe as late as early August). But I do know the B-a-B game date was known by the time they had the pre-sale for FSTs for the 2nd half of the season at the end of April, 'cause that's when I got them (and even still have the confirmation email in my Inbox from 4/30/2009). And I was pretty cheesed about it already for being one of the three Saturday games NOT in the Saturday+ Plan, considering that's the game my kids like best. Nothing like eating 5 unwanted weekday games only to find the Saturday game I really wanted the most was not in the "Saturday" plan! (And yes, I let the Mets hear about it!)

This year the three Saturdays not in the Sat+ Plan are 6/26 vs. Twins (Cap Day), 8/14 vs. Phillies (Green Cap Day), and 9/18 vs. Braves (Yom Kippur). There is a 7/31 game against the D-backs in the Sat+ Plan which looks very likely to be the B-a-B game. So that at least stands a good chance of being corrected for this year, even if the 10+5 plan structure still sucks.

[Mongoose]

You know, if you didn’t keep making these apologias for the new stadium, I wouldn’t feel obligated to bother to post to disagree.

It’s pretty simple. Fred Wilpon is not a Mets fan in the way we are. He doesn’t value just how cool the franchise and its history are. He doesn’t project any sense of unity with the fan base. He’s only in it for the money. This is not a crime, but I don’t have to like it.

It’s to be expected that Mets baseball plays little role in Wilpon’s idea of a fun day at the ballpark; indeed, almost every piece of “fun” at the new stadium is calculated to separate you from your money. If you choose not to make a day at the ballpark a costly experience, the new “fun” is minimal.

There's no question the waiting times for bathrooms and food, the quality and scope of food and drink offerings and easy access to good views of the game are all much better than it was at Shea. There was no field level concourse to walk around in, or even prom level concourse where it's quite easy to view the game from behind the Prom Club seats for an excellent view. You were never allowed to stop and watch the game from the Loge or Mezz walkways behind the box seats, and the Field level walkways behind home were cordoned with ticket access. And the food, it's just not to compare. I could enjoy eating the sausage and peppers and Mama's heros at Shea, and maybe a grilled hot dog (not the steamer box dogs the vendors walk around selling) and Nathan's fries, but that was about it. At Citi, not only is there the Shake Shack but CotD also has food I really actually look forward to eating (fried calamari, fried flounder, the shrimp po'boy), plus decent table red/white wine to go with it (not being a big beer drinker). Mama's has two permanent locations including cannoli now. Even the Cascarino's pizza by the slice (on the field level and in the Caesars Club) are much better than the cardboard they used to have at Shea. And the grilled dogs, sausage and peppers, Carvel helmet cups and Nathan's fries are still there too, as comfort food and for the kids.

Whoop-de-damn-do. You’re being allowed access to the mall, not the seating sections. Big deal. If you try to walk out of the mall area, the windbreaker corps will use main force to stop you.

Sure, more food is better than less food. Unfortunately, the fried flounder and shrimp po’ boys came as part of a package that saw ticket prices jacked sky high and affordable seating cut by 20,000. I still think it’s a lousy deal on balance.

And I guess I’m old fashioned. Going to Shea to see the Mets play was always the reason I went to the ballpark, not to eat a shrimp po’ boy. To be honest I don’t even know what one is.

Beyond the problems with pricing, access, seating, sight lines... “Citi Field” is configured to place Mets baseball below spending money as a ballpark activity. The “amenities” don’t so much feel like options as the point of the whole place. They’re brilliantly planned and executed. I wish I could say the same for the baseball related part of the experience.

Things like sight lines and the team itself were pretty obviously an afterthought.

[Jim Vaz]

Okay, well you can go on and on about how you dislike the place and you have every right to and in somways we agree with you, but only two simple facts remain.
Citi Field is the new home of the Mets, and Shea Stadium is physically gone.

Alive in memory and spirit, but its gone. We're not going back to the way it was, and well simply put,
Thats life..

[dstoffa]

You know, if you didn’t keep making these apologias for the new stadium, I wouldn’t feel obligated to bother to post to disagree.

It’s pretty simple. Fred Wilpon is not a Mets fan in the way we are. He doesn’t value just how cool the franchise and its history are. He doesn’t project any sense of unity with the fan base. He’s only in it for the money. This is not a crime, but I don’t have to like it.

It’s to be expected that Mets baseball plays little role in Wilpon’s idea of a fun day at the ballpark; indeed, almost every piece of “fun” at the new stadium is calculated to separate you from your money. If you choose not to make a day at the ballpark a costly experience, the new “fun” is minimal.

You single out Freddy.

Can you cite ANY major league sports franchise that's not supposed to make as much money as possible? Every team tries to put out there enticing ways to separate you from your money, whether is be balloons, cell phone stands, beer stands, or a clown next to an ice cream stand. Buying a ticket is only part of the expense. Now, there are just more options.

If you want to go back to a simpler time, reverse the Seitz decision.


Cheers!
-Doug

p.s. - By the way, a Po-Boy is a stuffed hero-type sandwhich. I have them when down south all the time. Geaux Saints!

[alpineinc]

And I guess I’m old fashioned. Going to Shea to see the Mets play was always the reason I went to the ballpark, not to eat a shrimp po’ boy. To be honest I don’t even know what one is.

You want to watch the Mets at CF, watch the Mets. You want a shrimp po'boy there, have a shrimp po'boy. You want to do both, do both. More options available, but none eliminated, just revised and/or updated. Win win.

A communal event does not necessarily mean everyone has to do the exact same thing to enjoy themselves or to enhance the experience.

And one can be old-fashioned and still find positives while adapting to modern-day sensibilities (depending on their overall outlook on life, of course), one would think.


P.S. The po'boys are killer, especially with a cold draft of Blue Point Toasted Lager, served at the same stand. And neat enough to eat like a hot dog and not miss a pitch. Highly recommended for all ages and attention spans.

[robardin]

...only two simple facts remain.
Citi Field is the new home of the Mets, and Shea Stadium is physically gone.

And just to get the Mongoose's goat:

[alpineinc]

Nobody cares
How steep my stairs
And nobody smiles
If I cross their 'stiles.

- Nick Drake, "Poor Boy"

[NYMfanChris]

SurfingTheMets Mets now selling four-pack ticket plans too. Opening Day or Subway Series, plus three other games.

[nymTom]

Okay, well you can go on and on about how you dislike the place and you have every right to and in somways we agree with you, but only two simple facts remain.
Citi Field is the new home of the Mets, and Shea Stadium is physically gone.

Alive in memory and spirit, but its gone. We're not going back to the way it was, and well simply put,
Thats life..

I agree Jim. Let me ask all a simple question. If Citifield was built as is for the most part years ago and then was torn down and replaced with Shea stadium, there would be a huge outcry as to why they built a bland bowl with horrible ammenities to replace such a characteristic one. So seriously those that think Shea was really better in any way shape or form, besides just the memories, Are you really serious??? Citi has it flaws and some can actually be corrected. Let me ask this . Two brand new stadiums walking into the first time, Shea or Citi, which one would you pick??

[headshoes]

I was able to get the METRO GOLD.. 4 games x 2 seats. $1800 .. OUCH!

[mandrake]

Mets tickets must really be selling well this year !!!! A few weeks ago, I had posted that a rep called me and gave me the scoop on the new playoff tickets for partials; yesterday another rep called me claiming he had no knowledge that I had already been contacted. I asked him if he wanted the emails from 1/29 where I received the partials and the newly created six pack info.
Now there is the just mentioned FOUR PACKS !!!!

You can build your own Four Game Premium Pick-A-Pack online by choosing Opening Day, April 5 or one of the May 21 - 23 Subway Series games at Citi Field, and then selecting one game each in April, May and June. April's matchups feature the only visits to Citi Field by the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Homestands in May include the first trip to New York by the rival Philadelphia Phillies. June's schedule is highlighted by Interleague series against the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

Buy Tickets Now »

Premium Pick-A-Pack availability includes select seating in premium locations in the Metropolitan Box, Field Box, Baseline Box and Caesars Club categories. Your choice of seat category will apply for all four games in a Pack, subject to availability.


3.1 million in 2009. You think they hit 2.6 million in 2010???

[peterrod16]

I say 2.4 million for 2010.
well everyone got there wish.
lots of plans, no lottery for opening day.
still three more things to go for me.
Prom club access for everyone
obstructed view seats markdown 50%
Party suite tickets $75(food and beverages included)

[robardin]

3.1 million in 2009. You think they hit 2.6 million in 2010???

Well, if the Mets are in first place at the All-Star break with Santana, Maine and Pelfrey all with 8-10 wins, Beltran back, Murphy doing a John Olerud impression at 1B (at the plate at least) Reyes and Wright playing lights out and K-Rod shutting them down for the 9th, then yes, and then some. And/or if Josh Thole or Jonathan Niese should break out and secure a roster spot in ST and be in ROY discussions by mid-July.

You can put whatever long odds on that if you want. I will reserve judgment until the season actually gets played and be rooting (while not expecting) for at least some of those things to happen!

[foulpole]

]

If you try to walk out of the mall area, the windbreaker corps will use main force to stop you.

Going to Shea to see the Mets play was always the reason I went to the ballpark, not to eat a shrimp po’ boy. To be honest I don’t even know what one is.

You keep referring to the ushers who keep you out of the exclusive clubs and seating areas as "goons in windbreakers", but what about the ones who shoo-ed you away from THE ENTIRE FIELD LEVEL CONCOURSE, as well as the diamond club at Shea? I guess they were just "nice gentlemen in sporty nylon jackets".

And WHO DAT don't know what a po-boy is. If you don't know po-boy, you definitely don't know muffuletta!
Best sandwich ever!

I thought you might actually get a kick out of the first pic.

[CFmets09]

Nobody cares
How steep my stairs
And nobody smiles
If I cross their 'stiles.

- Nick Drake, "Poor Boy"

what sandwich is that and where is it from

[Mister B.]

A communal event does not necessarily mean everyone has to do the exact same thing to enjoy themselves or to enhance the experience.

And one can be old-fashioned and still find positives while adapting to modern-day sensibilities (depending on their overall outlook on life, of course), one would think.

These are excellent observations.

With respect to the second point, it really is a matter of choice. Decide to focus on what you like better about CF vs. Shea, and be happy. OR, decide to focus on what you like less (and largely cannot change), and be perpetually miserable.

Who wants to be unhappy all the time? Who wants to be around someone who is unhappy all the time? Especially when we're dealing with a recreational event, which by definition we attend to entertain ourselves and, yes, be happier.

[mandrake]

I say 2.4 million for 2010.
well everyone got there wish.
lots of plans, no lottery for opening day.
still three more things to go for me.
Prom club access for everyone
obstructed view seats markdown 50%
Party suite tickets $75(food and beverages included)

Your 2.4 million may be a good guess. Historically, that has been a pretty good average even with a huge place like Shea. Heck, in 1970 they shocked MLB with 2.7 million, a number so high that it stuck in Steinbrenner's throat for many years. Billy Martin said that George used to bring that stat up even during preseason games in the late 1970's. George knew that at the time the Mets had a huge fan base that was dormant. Look at the 1980's...George knew what could happen.

Now, I like your prom club access idea, and a reduced fee for obstructed seats. (That could cause issues with people claiming their seats are obstructed too)

As for party suite tickets, I doubt it. When the Mets sell bridge terrace tickets for $54 for gold games and you have to spend $25 additional on concessions, and you are 450 feet from the plate.....well don't hold your breath on those $75 suites!

BTW Vegas has the Mets over/under listed at 81 wins at one house and 84 wins at another. I think 84 is reachable if everything, and I mean everything works out.

[Mister B.]

Mets tickets must really be selling well this year !!!! A few weeks ago, I had posted that a rep called me and gave me the scoop on the new playoff tickets for partials; yesterday another rep called me claiming he had no knowledge that I had already been contacted. I asked him if he wanted the emails from 1/29 where I received the partials and the newly created six pack info.
Now there is the just mentioned FOUR PACKS !!!!

You can build your own Four Game Premium Pick-A-Pack online by choosing Opening Day, April 5 or one of the May 21 - 23 Subway Series games at Citi Field, and then selecting one game each in April, May and June. April's matchups feature the only visits to Citi Field by the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Homestands in May include the first trip to New York by the rival Philadelphia Phillies. June's schedule is highlighted by Interleague series against the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

Buy Tickets Now »

Premium Pick-A-Pack availability includes select seating in premium locations in the Metropolitan Box, Field Box, Baseline Box and Caesars Club categories. Your choice of seat category will apply for all four games in a Pack, subject to availability.


3.1 million in 2009. You think they hit 2.6 million in 2010???

Well, we definitely don't hear about those 2,500 / game standing room tickets they were going to have, anymore...

[schnu]

I agree Jim. Let me ask all a simple question. If Citifield was built as is for the most part years ago and then was torn down and replaced with Shea stadium, there would be a huge outcry as to why they built a bland bowl with horrible ammenities to replace such a characteristic one. So seriously those that think Shea was really better in any way shape or form, besides just the memories, Are you really serious??? Citi has it flaws and some can actually be corrected. Let me ask this . Two brand new stadiums walking into the first time, Shea or Citi, which one would you pick??

I miss Shea for mainly one reason - the memories.

It was where I went to well over 200 baseball games over 30 years - starting with my dad & brothers, then my friends, then my wife and finally my daughter.

Its the place I spent 20+ opening days, with the hope of a new season still fresh in my mind and the smell of grilled dogs, beer and tossing a softball around the CF parking lot (always directly behind the flagpole).

Its where I laughed on many a cold April night when if I had better judgement, I'd be sitting in my house watching it the warmth of my living room.

Its the place that I went to when I was in a bad mood to get away from my mundane problems for a few hours.

In all, it was like going a home of a friend - not the most comfortable place, not the best food and not the prettiest.

But it was fun.

And I'm sure that people who wax poetic about the virtues of the Vet, Fulton County, Riverfront, County, et al do so for just these same reasons.

[mandrake]

These are excellent observations.

With respect to the second point, it really is a matter of choice. Decide to focus on what you like better about CF vs. Shea, and be happy. OR, decide to focus on what you like less (and largely cannot change), and be perpetually miserable.

Who wants to be unhappy all the time? Who wants to be around someone who is unhappy all the time? Especially when we're dealing with a recreational event, which by definition we attend to entertain ourselves and, yes, be happier.

Ever the deep thinker, Mr B.

In light of all the changes to Citi in late 2009 and early 2010, those BF posters who said that CF needed more Mets stuff have won the day. Those who one year ago said that the Dodgers stuff was much ado about nothing have been proven wrong by none other than the Wilpons themselves! One can look back at some of the threads and see who's who.

And I for one look forward to seeing you at CF in 2010 discussing the good old days of Mets lore. (especially since we no longer have to converse in steerage)

[alpineinc]

what sandwich is that and where is it from

Um, go back just a few posts.

[peterrod16]

Presale for mets plan holders is this monday 3/1/10 10AM
as per my rep in the ticket office.

[ribant]

Some guy on SH has Standing Room tix for Opening Day@ $100 each. I wonder what the scam is, but don't want to spend the bux to find out.

[ribant]

Does that include the Platinum games?