{"id":9530,"date":"2015-12-03T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2015-12-03T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=9530"},"modified":"2015-12-03T00:02:52","modified_gmt":"2015-12-03T05:02:52","slug":"summer-of-baseball-citi-field-makes-the-mets-bearable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=9530","title":{"rendered":"Summer of Baseball: Citi Field makes the Mets bearable"},"content":{"rendered":"

OK, let me explain the title \u2013 I\u2019m not a fan of the New York Mets. I don\u2019t go out of my way to watch the Mets, so that\u2019s why the title is as it is.<\/p>\n

Where the Mets play their homes games, though, puts new definition in \u2018amazing.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Citi

Citi Field is an excellent place to catch a game.<\/p><\/div>\n

Citi Field, which opened in 2009 \u2013 the same year as new Yankee Stadium \u2013 is a great place to watch ball. Even in the highest of seats, it\u2019s a wonderful spot to watch a game. The views are nice and there\u2019s plenty of space to hide from sun, if you get it.<\/p>\n

My trip to Citi this year was meeting a few friends in the city and heading to the game. The easiest way to get to the stadium, of course, is via train. It was quick and you\u2019re dropped right at the foot of the stadium. Shea Stadium\u2019s home run apple is outside and in the shadow of Citi Field, which is pretty cool.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at the stadium as a whole.<\/p>\n

First, as far as major league stadiums go, this is a beauty. The seats are comfortable. The sight lines are solid. It\u2019s also easy to move around as there\u2019s ample space.<\/p>\n

We got there pretty early \u2013 pretty much as soon as the gates opened as I like to explore a stadium when I\u2019m going for the first time. Therefore, the lines around the stadium weren\u2019t bad. I had to grab an ice cream while I still could, so that was nice. Walking around the stadium was nice as you could see a bit of everything.<\/p>\n

When you first come, the Jackie Robinson area is nice. The Mets museum is also a nice touch. More teams should do this. It\u2019s cool when you can see World Series trophies and not have to be in some upgraded section or take a tour to do so, so I\u2019ll give kudos to the Mets for this.<\/p>\n

They also were playing \u201cMeet the Mets\u201d throughout the lower part, which was something I had hoped to hear. I mean \u2026 you can\u2019t go to a Mets game and not hear that, can you?<\/p>\n

\"Despite

Despite not being a Mets fan, I couldn’t resist this opportunity!<\/p><\/div>\n

One thing I really noticed is how friendly everybody I dealt with was. I know many people talk about New York City people being rude, but everybody who worked at Citi was incredibly easy to chat with, outgoing and nice. I had looked to get my normal pin, but wanted one with Citi Field on it. Unfortunately, there weren\u2019t any. But two people in the gift shops called to the other stands throughout the stadium trying to see if there were any, so that was nice.<\/p>\n

I did find out, after, that there are two colored stamps at Citi for the Passport. I wish I had known that as I have two passports and would have loved to have gotten both colors!<\/p>\n

There are a few negatives, though. These are small things, so no issues. Prices \u2013 like at most MLB stadiums \u2013 are crazy. I think it cost me $20 or so for two hot dogs, fries, and a soda. I know the people I was with had a couple of beers and they weren\u2019t cheap. The ice cream was pricy.<\/p>\n

But when you go to an MLB game, it\u2019s kind of expected.<\/p>\n

That being said, on the positive side, I took advantage of a ticket special and my tickets were right around $20. I can\u2019t complain about that.<\/p>\n

This was another stadium without a lineup board. I just don\u2019t see how it\u2019s hard to have something like this. Yes, I know it\u2019s on the big screen. But that\u2019s not the point. Why not have one near customer service. The Phillies have it in the team store. Throw those of us who love that old-school feel a bone and have an intern fill it out each day. It\u2019s not an expensive thing to do.<\/p>\n

\"There

There weren’t many bad places to watch the game.<\/p><\/div>\n

Overall, I had a top-notch experience at Citi. The Mets lost this game (and, to be fair, I usually do like to see the home team win \u2013 the atmosphere and ambiance is better), but it was a solid game. It was also the MLB debut of Michael Conforto, who I saw play in Binghamton. Jimmy Rollins hit a homer for the Dodgers, so that was a bonus, too.<\/p>\n

The only true negative was after the game. We were walking around looking at the spots of where Shea Stadium was. We were taking photos and this person \u2013 rude as can be \u2013 basically walked right into a photo I was taking with his daughters. He snapped his photo as if nobody was there. One of the people I was with said something and, of course, the guy got his muscles and started talking all sorts of crap \u2013 in front of his daughters. Stay classy, buddy.<\/p>\n

Still, that didn\u2019t damper a great night for baseball. It was truly enjoyable. And we messed around enough that by the time we hit the train, it was empty and we were on our way.<\/p>\n

I need to check out new Yankee Stadium at some point, but more than one Yankee fan has told me that Citi Field is the better experience.<\/p>\n

Park Notes: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Citi Field<\/strong>
\nNew York, NY<\/em>
\nHome of the New York Mets
\nVisited on: July 24, 2015
\nOpponent: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n

Ratings (out of 10)<\/p>\n