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**Brooklyn** · 05-29-2008, 06:34 AM

Originally posted by Krawhitham View Post

Hi everyone!

I'm a baseball fan fan from the UK, although I follow no particular team.

I have never been to a baseball game and I'm off to New York in early September and was hoping to fit in a baseball game, sadly both NY teams are on the road when I am there.

I am considering watching the Staten Island Yankees. What I am curious to know is;will still get a good "baseball experience" from this? Also, what are people's recommendations of where to sit? Should I try and get behind Home Plate or along First or Third Base?

I will have the option of the following games:
Tuesday 9/2 Hudson Valley 7:00 PM
Wednesday 9/3 Aberdeen 7:00 PM
Thursday 9/4 Aberdeen 1:00 PM

All advice and opinions gratefully received.

First, let me say that you have terrible luck. The Mets and Yankees are almost never on the road at the same time. Generally, one is home while the other is away. They are both on the road at the same time maybe 2-3 times a season.

You will get a "good baseball experience", but it is very different from a major league baseball experience. In a Mets or Yankees home game, you'll typically get 50,000 fans that are very passionate about their teams. The players are at the highest level.

In a lot of towns across the US that don't have a major league team, you will find fans very passionate about their minor league baseball. In NY, that tends not to be the case. People will root for the home team, but most people are really there just to enjoy the day in the sun. There are also only about 8,000 fans, so you won't get the same experience as a 50,000 seat stadium.

The Staten Island Yankees are a class A team, which is the lowest level of the minor leagues, so the talent level will be noticably different from a major league game. Although it could be aruged that the players try harder at that level

All that said, you shoudl definitely go. minor league games are a lot of fun. In many ways they are purer baseball then major league games.

As for seats, my experience at minor league parks is that there really isn't a bad seat in the house. If choosing betwen behind the plate or down the line, my preference is near first or thrid base, on the home base side. A lot of people prefer behind the plate, so it is really a preference thing, but I'd prefer not to sit behind the screen. Either way, if you can get a seat between 1st and 3rd base, I'd go for whatever seat is closest to the field.

have fun

**bryanspellman** · 05-29-2008, 10:49 AM

GO GO GO!!!!

I love minor ball!!! ANy baseball is good baseball!!! It might be A-Ball but these kids are still professional players and will give you a good show.

I like sitting on the 1st base side between the end of the dugout and 1st base. Looking at the seating chart, section 13 or front on 14. Not only will most of the action take place in front of you, you can also look in on the Yankee Dugout, great for picture taking!!!!

Good luck!!!!

**DownUnderDodger** · 05-29-2008, 08:58 PM

I am wondering if maybe while you are in NY you could possibly branch out for an overnighter to say Boston or Philadelphia, or maybe even Baltimore or Washington to take in a MLB game, presuming one or more of those teams have a home game at the time. I can assure you as a 'foreigner', the MLB experience is truly worthwhile. I can't comment about the Minors because I have never been to one, however I am sure it would be an enlightening experience if a MLB game is totally out of the question. It is a shame you will miss a MLB game in NY. That is one of my goals - to watch a game in the Big Apple.

**Krawhitham** · 05-30-2008, 02:02 AM

Originally posted by Brooklyn View Post

First, let me say that you have terrible luck. The Mets and Yankees are almost never on the road at the same time. Generally, one is home while the other is away. They are both on the road at the same time maybe 2-3 times a season.

I had figured that this would be the case, the city where I live has 2 football (soccer) teams and it is not allowed for both to play at home on the same day. Let's hope my terrible luck stays in NY as I'm heading to Las Vegas from there. I know I could go and see the AAA-League Las Vegas 51's, but I'm not sure there is time in my Vegas schedule.

Originally posted by DownUnderDodger View Post

I am wondering if maybe while you are in NY you could possibly branch out for an overnighter to say Boston or Philadelphia, or maybe even Baltimore or Washington to take in a MLB game, presuming one or more of those teams have a home game at the time.

Good idea, however as I'm only in NY for 4 nights it's not really feasible. I am travelling as a tourist it is not specifically to see an MLB game. It looks like I will be able to have a good day out in Staten Island and then watch a ball game in the evening.

Thanks for the advice, it's been helpful.

**sandlot** · 05-30-2008, 06:25 AM

The trains are really good and Baltimore and Washington are a lot closer than you might think. If your friend(s) can go with you, you'd have a really good time. That said, seeing minor league ball is a lot of fun and for sure you'll meet people, especially if you tell someone it's your first game. Baseball fans love to share the sport and will happily explain the rules, if you need any of that. As DU-Deb says, people do root for their home teams, but it's not the kind of craziness you see at some soccer (football) matches. Whatever, it should be a great experience. Bon voyage!

**digglahhh** · 05-30-2008, 06:51 AM

Unfortunately, Philly is away too. The Amtrack down to Philly is really quick; you could get stuck for longer in traffic in BK on your way to SI...

It looks like the Cyclones are home on the 4th. You should consider that too. S.I. is like the ba$tard borough of NYC, (no offense to Wu Tang) and it's inconvenient. The Cyclones are over in Coney Island; hit up Nathan's, check out the Cyclone, check out the aquarium, step into the mind of Darren Aronofsky... As a tourist, I'd think your time would be better spent in BK than SI. Just my two cents.

**zahavasdad** · 05-30-2008, 12:11 PM

JMO If you can go to the Brooklyn Cyclones, Id go there before The Staten Island Yankees

Its on Coney Island in Brooklyn and you can check out Coney Island while you are there.

Its quite a setting on the Ocean

**zahavasdad** · 05-30-2008, 12:15 PM

BTW I checked the Schedual, the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals are at home.

The Amtrak train is about 3 hours from NY to Boston or Washington DC

**Pere** · 05-30-2008, 03:50 PM

If you're not familiar with the game itself, I'd say attending a good professional minor league game is likely to be a better first experience than a major league game. You'll (likely) be closer to the field. Of course the crowd experience probably won't be comparable, but that's probably to the good.

**NYMets523** · 05-30-2008, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by zahavasdad View Post

BTW I checked the Schedual, the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals are at home.

The Amtrak train is about 3 hours from NY to Boston or Washington DC

Going to the Nats game is a easier option since Fenway is always sold out. Though considering how powerful the pound sterling is compared to the dollar (Something like $2.2 to £1, IIRC) the prices might not be as ridiculous.

**digglahhh** · 05-31-2008, 09:55 AM

Any chance you could stop at JD Sports and meet me in BK? Europe gets all the good Air Max colorways, and the mesh! Limes, Sunbursts... anybody?

C'mon, there's like thousands of members here, I can't be the only one...

**DownUnderDodger** · 06-01-2008, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by Krawhitham View Post

Let's hope my terrible luck stays in NY as I'm heading to Las Vegas from there. I know I could go and see the AAA-League Las Vegas 51's, but I'm not sure there is time in my Vegas schedule.

In a couple of years time I hope to be living full time in Vegas.....I have a house there, 20 minutes out of town, to the north. I am sure you will find lots more to do in "Sin City" than go to a AAA ball game, but if you do, don't look like a tourist because the ball park is not in the most savoury part of town.

If you find you want to try to get to Fenway and take the 3 hour train trip you are sure to enjoy the scenery. I have done the trip, from Boston to NYC and it was really worth seeing, even from a speeding train. But that was back in 1986....the whole area may be built out by now!!

I take it you are not heading as fars as Los Angeles? If so the Dodgers have 6 home games in the 1st week of September, and the Angels have 6 games in the 2nd week, including 3 against the Yankees. If you happen to be in the Bay Area the Giants are home 5th thru 10th. The A's are out of town until the 11th, but home thru 21st.

**steve rogers** · 06-01-2008, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by digglahhh View Post

Any chance you could stop at JD Sports and meet me in BK? Europe gets all the good Air Max colorways, and the mesh! Limes, Sunbursts... anybody?

C'mon, there's like thousands of members here, I can't be the only one...

Is that a shoe collecting reference?

Scott

**Brannu** · 06-02-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by DownUnderDodger View Post

I am wondering if maybe while you are in NY you could possibly branch out for an overnighter to say Boston or Philadelphia, or maybe even Baltimore or Washington to take in a MLB game, presuming one or more of those teams have a home game at the time. I can assure you as a 'foreigner', the MLB experience is truly worthwhile. I can't comment about the Minors because I have never been to one, however I am sure it would be an enlightening experience if a MLB game is totally out of the question. It is a shame you will miss a MLB game in NY. That is one of my goals - to watch a game in the Big Apple.

That was going to be my suggestion.

Minor league baseball is great ... but ... it's not Major League Baseball.

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