Who planned this Stadium, anyway?

by Ed Valentine on Mar 28, 2009 8:53 AM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

The new Yankee Stadium hasn't even hosted a single pitch, and yet the complaints are rolling in.

The latest is the rather startling revelation from Peter Abraham that the Stadium is "not particularly conducive to television cameras.

In this day and age, how can that be? Especially when the Yankees own their television network. That's just poor planning.

We also have the news that it will cost you $19 to park your car. That's another reason why the only time I will ever make the 3-hour ride from upstate New York is via a very occasional bus trip.

Then there is the fact that unless you have Field Level seats you can no longer wander down to that level and watch batting practice. Apparently, the folks at the Field Level are too important to share space with the rest of us for a little while.

On top of that, we know all about the fact that there are obstructed-view seats down in center field thanks to the high-class restaurant, and also a few down the foul lines.

Oh, and I am still annoyed that a team that has proudly trumpeted its 4 million plus attendance the past few seasons chose to screw fans by building a Stadium with 6,000 fewer seats in it than its predecessor.

The new Yankee Stadium is, seemingly a beautiful place. The way things are now, though, it will likely be quite a while before I see it for myself.

For $1.6 billion, or more, I'm kind of disappointed.

Your thoughts?

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I'm liking it

Then there is the fact that unless you have Field Level seats you can no longer wander down to that level and watch batting practice.

It’s been like that. The old stadium had attendants at each section. I’ve been lucky enough to get field level tickets once, which was really nice, but they had huge bars separating the field level from the rest.

It's true what they say...Even the NFL's Big Wigs hate the Steelers. On the plus side, I can now tell my future grand kids about Hines Ward and how the NFL made rules because of him. Roger Goodell, you make me sick.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Mar 28, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Last September

….that was my last game on the Old Stadium. I was still allowed to go down to field level even though I had upper deck tix. You weren’t allowed to go all the way to the wall between the bases….it’s been chained off for about 10 years. But if you mean that unless you have field level tix that you can’t even make it past the gate, well that’s both terrible and new.

I’m not in love with the new stadium at all. But I’m holding off any judgment till I get to a game and see it for myself.

by Ragnar808 on Mar 29, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeahh well..

At least they managed to finish the stadium in time for the season.. It could be a lot worse. Also gotta remember that no colossal construction like that is going to be perfect. If the camera angles and the obstructed views are that bad I’m sure they wont stay that way forever. It just sucks I can no longer watch batting practice like I use to… That’s what gets me the most….

by Fluke on Mar 28, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

that won’t stay like that. Watching BP from as close to the field as you can get it still one of the magical things about going to a ball game. I’d hate to see that get lost.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 28, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have already been there

I worked at the new stadium during the last 9 months of construction. Knowing that what we call the 100 level would be off limits unless you had a ticket, i sat and ate my lunch in all the best seats in the new stadium just to be able to say i know what it looks like from there. While i was on that job site i explored every inch of the new place. Its funny now i will have to pay to get into a place that a month ago i could go anywhere i wanted too.

by pigwax on Mar 28, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So

If we happen to go and get one of the obstructed-view seats, can we yell at you? LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Mar 28, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If i ever get to go to a game there, i will probably be sitting in one of those obstructed view seats myself

by pigwax on Mar 28, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL!!

Right next to me :-)

by Ed Valentine on Mar 28, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Batting Practice, and your blogroll

Hey guys -

Good job with the site. It is on my Google Reader page, and also on the blogroll of my site, New Stadium Insider. I’m glad that you guys came across the story I broke about the new rules in the A-Z Guide. I noticed that your blogroll is still listing my old blog “NYY Stadium Insider.” If possible, please add my new blog (as of January ’09) “New Stadium Insider” (http://newstadiuminsider.com).

If you add my RSS feed, you would have seen my story about the social stratification of the new Yankee Stadium and about the $19 parking far before you saw that information other places like Peter Abraham’s blog.

Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work.

by NewStadiumInsider on Mar 28, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Go see a game!

I think it would be best to see a game before you pass judgement.

by BronxBomber61 on Mar 29, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3 hours?

Dang, that’s a long drive, Ed. Only takes me two hours to go climbing at the Gunks from NYC area, and still thats a long day trip.

"No matter where you go, there you are"

by coops2001 on Mar 29, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

are they gonna do stadium tours?

and how much will it cost?
thats probably the only way i’ll see the stadium any time soon

by holycowboy on Mar 29, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I will

let you know what the view is like from either Section 318 or 319 the Suite Level just below the upper deck. My wonderful wife-who’s making up for the fact that she and all her family are Mets fans—is getting us tickets for my birthday on April 21 vs Oakland. Luckily it is a mid week game against Oakland so we won’t have to take out a 2nd mortgage for these ducats.

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Mar 30, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who's the Bozo that designed this stadium

I watched Friday’s broadcast of the Yankees vs. Cubs and I was shocked and appalled at what I witnessed. The camera shots from behind home plate were simply horrific! The ever-present mesh netting was intrusive, distracting and gave the telecast the look and feel of a spring training game! It’s astonishing that this $1.5 billion dollar palace could be designed with such a fatal flaw! Somehow, someway, something must be done to correct this problem. What a travesty!

by Stubert53 on Apr 5, 2009 11:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs