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TEAM ::: NEW YORK METS
LOCATION ::: FLUSHING,
NEW YORK
MY FIRST GAME ::: MAY 9, 2009
OPPONENT ::: PITTSBURGH PIRATES
MLB STADIUM RANK ::: 21 of 40
RATINGS
BALLFIELD ::: A+
SCOREBOARD ::: A
FOOD ::: B
FACILITIES ::: B+
MASCOT ::: B
 
MY TAKE ON THE PARK
Shea Stadium was the first ballpark I ever visited so
when I went to its replacement I went with a heavy heart. I had heard all of the complaining and wondered how bad could this
place be. Shea was more of a sentimental favorite than a great ballpark. What I found was a new ballpark that will probably
be better next year.
The changes begin when you arrive. The parking lot attendant
smiles and welcome you to Citi field. The Mets have never had employees who smile. $18 puts you in the lot under the Subway,
public transportation is definitely the way to go to Citi Field.
The exterior of the park is supposed to be Ebbets Field like,
a reference made again once inside, but since I've only seen pictures of Ebbets Field, I will have to say OK and say I like
the brick exterior. Outside there are black and white photos of the Mets through the years, the black and white I thought
was a nice touch.
Upon entering, you scan your own ticket, get this, someone is
there to welcome you to the park. Entering through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, a full dedication to the history of
Jackie Robinson. To the complainers, get on the escalator and go inside. I found my stay in the rotunda so quick I didn't
find time to complain. If the Mets want to do something about this, take a ride to Pittsburgh and see how the Pirates do the
Rotunda.
My first unfixable complaint is the top of the escalator. You
are greeted by a brick wall. I didn't know if I should look for another escalator or if I was at field level, I was at field
level. Entering the concourse is reminiscent of Shea, a dark cavernous area.
Take the concourse down first or third and all complaints must
end. A view of the field, typical prefect Mets field, you can never complain at how the Mets handle the game or the playing
field, always one of the best in the game. The infield concourse is spacious and complete with concessions. I will say
that walking around I felt like I was in a Flintstones cartoon. Nathan's, Italian Sausage, Carvel, Beer .. Nathan's, Italian
Sausage, Carvel, Beer .. repeat.
The outfield has an Atlanta like food court, this is section
seemed kind of rushed and one where the "flow" problems are in the park. Also, a section I believe can be fixed. In the outfield
food court there are various stands and a children's area. All well done except right in the middle of this there is a Beers
of NY stand. Lots of problems with this stand, mainly the selection. When Mr.Met comes out to take a picture with fans, the
line intersects two other lines creating Grid lock all over the area.
In Right Field is the Pepsi Porch, a place I wanted to see. Can't get there
from the field level and if you are in any other section of the park, you will need a ticket to get there. The only way to
get there is to walk to right field in the lower or upper deck and take an escalator or walk down stairs to this section.
There you will find your own concessionaire and a seat which hangs over the field. Could be a very popular seat at the park.
The scoreboard takes a hit because I always thought the Shea
RF Board was the best by far in all of baseball, and the big Bud cup, sign, logo never bothered me. the line ups were up the
whole game as numbers and position. Never taken down. Here, the line ups are up but they do come down. Two video boards doing
much the same thing throughout the game.
They replaced my first ballpark and did a pretty good job. It may be too early to rate the new place
that high, but I believe there is potential. Here, they didn't kick us out after the game and they at least allowed us into
the lower sections of the outfield without a lower level ticket. If you like sausage you will never go hungry, other
stuff is in the specialty areas.
THE LINE UPS
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager :::
7 John Russell
New York Mets Manager :::
53 Jerry Manuel
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
3 Nyjer Morgan lf
12 Freddy Sanchez 2b
13
Nate McLouth cf
25 Adam LaRoche 1b
44 Brandon Moss rf
15 Andy Laroche 3b
5 Ramn Vazquez ss
35 Jason Jaramillo
c
28 Paul Maholm p / LP
NEW YORK METS
7 Jose Reyes ss
1 Luis Castillo 2b
15 Carlos
Beltran cf
21 Carlos Delgado 1b
5 David Wright 3b
10 Gary Sheffield rf
17 Fernando Tatis lf
11 Ramon Castro
c
33 John Maine p / WP
PIRATES 000 010 000
1 5 0
METS 100 510 12x 10 17
0
TIME ::: 2:39
ATTENDANCE ::: 39,769
WEATHER :::70
HUMID OVER CAST
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UNCLEBOBSBALLPARKS@GMAIL.COM
LINKS
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The Official site of the New York Mets
Where they used to play - My Shea Stadium site
The Boxscore from my first game at Citi Field
The Ultimate Mets Database
ESPN Citi Field's Travel site
Flushing weather from WEATHER.com
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