Yankee Stadium - What a dump

A761506

While in NY last week, I was able to get up to the ballgame against Toronto, my first ever at historic Yankee stadium. Honestly, aside from the rich history, that ballpark is one of the worst I've ever been to, and I've been to my share of original ballparks, before they went and replaced them all.

It's sort of a shame that it's not even salvagable, that the only solution to it is replacing it with a new one in a new location. Aside from being absolutely filthy and structural issues like extremely narrow concourses which do not handle traffic well, the view of the field from the stands is just not very good from multiple points around the stadium because many of the seats are positioned at odd angles. I didn't understand why there are fence-like bars everywhere in the stands - really made me feel like I was being herded.

The majority of the fans were comical. They were expecting hits from every single at bat, and they were quick to curse the player out if they did not succeed. There was a point where the Yankees led 8-1 and had just scored 3 runs in the inning... Melky Cabrera, who had just had a RBI single the previous inning, comes up with 2 outs and a runner on 1st or 2nd - grounds out quickly and a group fans I was sitting around were all complaining about how worthless he was and how he always strands runners. One even said "f-ing Matsui had to go and break his wrist." All I could do was crack up.

The attitude of the fans is certainly different around NY because the team has been so successful in the past, that the losses seem so much more devastating.

Axtell

It's the spoiled brat attitude that I've noticed since they started winning again - they feel entitled to win every single game.

It's also the same attitude that has them booing one of the greatest players in the game (Arod) when he goes through a slump - though I suspect that has more to do with jealousy that anything.


I have heard similiar complaints before about yankee stadium - that, once you get past its history, its not a very good place to watch a game, and that fenway is far superior a venue. I plan on taking an east coast vacation next year, and plan on visiting both.

jlbsquared

<< <i>It's sort of a shame that it's not even salvagable, that the only solution to it is replacing it with a new one in a new location. Aside from being absolutely filthy and structural issues like extremely narrow concourses which do not handle traffic well, the view of the field from the stands is just not very good from multiple points around the stadium because many of the seats are positioned at odd angles. I didn't understand why there are fence-like bars everywhere in the stands - really made me feel like I was being herded. >>



An 83 year old stadium has some design issues? Wow, thats news...


Want no history and great views? Houston seems OK, and they have that nifty newfangled hill in CF...




<< <i>The majority of the fans were comical. They were expecting hits from every single at bat, and they were quick to curse the player out if they did not succeed. There was a point where the Yankees led 8-1 and had just scored 3 runs in the inning... Melky Cabrera, who had just had a RBI single the previous inning, comes up with 2 outs and a runner on 1st or 2nd - grounds out quickly and a group fans I was sitting around were all complaining about how worthless he was and how he always strands runners. One even said "f-ing Matsui had to go and
break his wrist." All I could do was crack up. >>



I'm sure this is how the majority (25000 or so that you must have spied on) of fans were acting. Or maybe it was just the 10 drunks around your obstructed - view bleacher seats?

ToppsCo1lector

Now these so called "fans" of baseball hate on the Yankees because of their stadium. Guess you guys can't talk about them not being in first place anymore! Yes there are nicer stadiums; but let's compare it to the only 2 stadiums that were built in the same era(Wrigley and Fenway); as no other stadium currently in use, was built until the 1960's. In someone calls themself a "fan" but can't appreciate the historical value of Yankee stadium, then all I know is they aren't a fan of the game.

nightcrawler

I'd rather go to a building with history

A761506

Misconstrued understanding of what I said... I do not hate the Yankees. I dislike them as much as every other AL team aside from my hometeam.

I love stadiums with history and have been long opposed to tearing them down... I would much rather see complete renovations to the existing parks which could preserve the history. But, that has not been the case in recent years because it would be too costly and inconvenient of a process, while building a new park is a much easier fix.

Of course I exaggerated when I referred to a majority of fans... it should be rephrased: the majority of fans that I was able to overhear while I was sitting around them in various seats throughout the ballpark. Sort of a small sample size that I simply projected to be the majority, since the general attitude was pretty much the same from all the people I overheard throughout the park. By the way, my ticketed seats were next to first base, so I wasn't sitting around drunks in the bleachers as you put it.

Axtell

I don't think anyone is arguing the history of the place, and he surely wasn't 'hating' the yankees.

And what's wrong with wanting good seats with good views? If I want history I'll go to a museum. If the yankees and steinbrenner love the stadium so much, why is he pushing for a new, billion dollar state of the art facility ?

Michigan

A decision has finally been made to tear down the old Tiger Stadium in Detroit. It has sat vacant since
1999 with various ideas floated about using it for some other purpose but none of the ideas went anywhere.

History and baseball are closely tied together but at some point you have to move into a better
facility. I can understand some people (including Steinbrenner) being reluctant in their hearts in
letting go of Yankee Stadium but it will happen at some point.


While modern stadiums generally have better seating arrangements and other improvments I don't care
for putting things like waterfalls around the scoreboards in center field etc. I just think stuff like that looks out of place in a baseball stadium.

Connecticoin

They ruined Yankee Stadium during the mid - 1970's renovations. I would not call it a dump, but it is very sterile, like Shea Stadium and any of the multi-purpose stadiums built in the 1960s and 1970s most which have been torn down (Three Rivers, Candlestick, Atlanta Fulton-Co, Busch, etc.)

The new Mets and Yankees stadiums look fabulous, and I look forward to seeing at least one or two games at each one when they open!!

ToppsCo1lector

The new Yankee stadium is proposed to be finished after the 2008 season. Hopefully it's true, as it will coincide with the finishing of the NJ/Brooklyn Nets new stadium. Although I'll miss Yankees stadium, I(along with some family) are taking a trip to some of the last Yankee games to get some seats and other pieces from the stadium. If nothing else, the memories will be subsided happiness. Every generation of my family has gone to Yankees Stadium since we immigrated.

Michigan

Luxury box viewing is a big factor in teams wanting new stadiums. Many old stadiums are just not
suited to remodeling to get them build the way they want them so they like to start over fresh with a
new facility.

Here at Michigan State luxury boxes were added to the football stadium a few years ago without having
to tear the structure down. They look pretty good and not out of place way up high on the west
side of the stadium (put only on that side so they won't have a problem with sun glare for late afternoon
games in the fall).

bri2327

I have been going to Yankee stadium for over 25 years, and although I think there is no place like it historically, it is getting old. It is getting dirty, and something did have to be done. I just wish they had decided to rebuild or renovate on the existing site.

As for the fans, well, I have had a big problem the past couple of years. I know alot of my fellow Yankee fans will get all over me for saying this, but it just isnt the same. Since their popularity and subsequent attendence has risen the past few years the fan base at the games has changed. There are ALOT of people at the stadium these days who are not long time fans. Alot of new people have began to go to games. People with money from NYC who dont particuarly go for any reason other than it is the popular thing to do nowadays. There is also a large and new contingent that doesnt have the first clue about the game. These are what you all like to call the bandwagon hoppers. I have been going to fewer and fewer games the past couple of years because of the new element at the stadium.

ToppsCo1lector

Bri-I totally agree with your point on the new fans basically since Jete was a rook. I mean, I can remember a time where the only guys who were Yankee fans in my hometown were the same guys that transferred with my father down to the new printing plant from north Jersey. Nowadays, people where Yankee hats and jerseys and have no idea who Mattingly, Mass, Sax, and Brien Taylor are. Those same fans who enjoy a much more favorable income attend the games simply to be seen there. Hell a lot of the new fans don't have a clue what Girardi and Leyritz did for the team. That was only 10 years ago!

bri2327

I see it all the time in my town here. Even family members of my fiance. They cant leave the house without at least 3 Yankee clothing articles on, yet if you ask them to name 2 pitchers from the 96 team they cant ( unlesss of course they happened to watch a Yankeeography 2 hours prior to being asked ). I think it has gotten 10x worse since Arod came over. He was the big name that really, REALLY started bringing the new fans in. My buddy who is working for a bank in Manhattan talks about the guys and girls in his office who literally turn down the $100 seats if there is something else to do, and take the seats if there is nothing else going on. They dont care either way, its just something to kill a few hours for these people making insane money. They show up in the 3rd and leave in the 7th. They boo because they are so ignorant to the game they think a guy should hit one out every time up. Its a shame because Yankee stadium used to draw 25-35,000 extremely knowledgeable fans as opposed to maybe 25K today and another 30K dopes.

Michigan

How expensive are Yankees tickets these days compared to say 5 or 10 years ago?

It could be a lot of the old working class fan base is being priced out of attending as much as they
used to and the more monied but less knowledgeable fans are taking their place.

softparade

<< <i>I don't think anyone is arguing the history of the place, and he surely wasn't 'hating' the yankees.

And what's wrong with wanting good seats with good views? If I want history I'll go to a museum. If the yankees and steinbrenner love the stadium so much, why is he pushing for a new, billion dollar state of the art facility ? >>



Ax, where the hell did you get the idea that George Steinbrenner "loves" Yankee Stadium? IN FACT, George has NEVER liked the present Yankee Stadium ..... going all the way back to the mid to late 80's when he would rip the Stadium almost daily in the papers.

bri2327

Michigan, the prices have gone through the roof. I was going to playoff games in 96-98 for under $40, now you are lucky to sit in the upper deck of a regular season game against Tampa Bay for $50. It is definately true that a large portion of the people going to the games have ALOT of $$, and are getting seats through their companies and stuff like that. There are still the 20K or so real fans, but they are drowned out by the 30K newbies with the $$ and no baseball brains.

softparade

Bri, my company has seats directly at the Yanks on-deck circle. We have had them since 1966. ALMOST ALL of those first level seats all the way into the outfield are company owned.

bri2327

Yeah Dan, I know it. Ive been to plenty of games in those seats on invites. It wasnt too bad when they were the only seats with the casual fans, but they are everywhere now. I honestly cant go to more than a game or two a year now as opposed to 20-25 a year in the past. It has changed way too much for me.

estang

I went there once, and it's time for a new one and a new location. The Yankees franchise deserves better and so does its fans. Amazing how NY area major sports probably have the worst/oldest venues across all sports. Whatever they build will be awesome.

Now Fenway Park's location is fantastic, and so is the field/playing field + the new Green Monster seats. It would be cool if they make more room by turning the streets surrounding it to be pedestrian walkways and build new fan seating sections with nicer concourses and roomier seats....

ToppsCo1lector

estang-Giants/Jets are getting a new arena, the Nets are getting a new arena, the Mets and Yankees are getting new stadiums. It's going to be a hella lot of construction outside of the norm going on for the next few years.

jlbsquared

<< <i>As for the fans, well, I have had a big problem the past couple of years >>



This surprises me somewhat - but coming from someone who attends games more regularly than I, if you say so I would have to think it may be true. I started attending games at YS in college ('92, 5-6 a season on avg, sometimes more) and continued to attend two or three a year until recently, and apart from the random screaming drunken vulgarities (which are worse at Jet games and are 500x times worse here in Buffalo at Bills games, but thats another story) I can't really ever remember hearing statements as dumb as the ones A76150 quoted... then again, I'm usually there with and listening to people with some baseball I.Q., not one know-it -all trying to impress his equally clueless friends... if this is now the average fan, that stinks...



<< <i>I think it has gotten 10x worse since Arod came over... >>



This is when my attendance really fell off. if it has gotten that much worse over the last few years with all the new fans, that is really too bad... didn't mean to sound condescending A761506, I was just a bit incredulous.... I'll still take history and a little dirt over much of the new stuff though...

edited for the beer thing

softparade

Lets not forget that Fenway Park with all its history and nostalgia has big rats running around at all times and is quite the DUMP also. The guy who has visited either stadium FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE is NOT the person to be taking reviews from. More than likely he or she is used to ultra convienent surroundings and can't take any flavor that their indeed is from a structure that is nearly 100 years old. And Yankee Stadium despite its 1975 renovations still has the narrow hallways, way too few food courts ,few bathrooms and poor lighting that was common in ballparks like these that are circa the teens or the 1920's.

So, for a person who has visited Yankee Stadium which has MANY MANY interesting and historic spots (if you knew what you are looking for) for the first time is definately not the person to take a review from. Nothing against the author of this thread, but, if he expected ANYTHING more in comfort then he witnessed at the stadium then he IS NO VETERAN of the true older ballparks like he claims.

The thing about the fans? Yeah, whatever ...... whine all you want about that

softparade

This thread started as a critical piece about Yankee Stadium and by the authors own CHANGE OF DIRECTION went the way of critisizing the fans that go to the ballpark. That is fine with me as Yankee Stadium has its share of morons at every game.

BUT, I am calling A761506 OUT onto the stage and I say he is a LIAR about being at his "fair share" of older ballparks. IF he was a veteran of such places, HE WOULD NOT FIND IT NOTEWORTHY to whine about the odd angles of seats, the narrow hallways, etc. My goodness, these are the things that give these VERY FEW older ballparks their flavor and color. I am sure he did NOT make it to monument park and I am SURE he is not the "ballpark veteran" that he claims to be.

No such "historian" and "veteran" of these almost extinct ballparks would EVER whine about seat angles, narrow hallways, and nearly 100 years of dirt and grime .....

Connecticoin

<< <i>Lets not forget that Fenway Park with all its history and nostalgia has big rats running around at all times and is quite the DUMP also. The guy who has visited either stadium FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE is NOT the person to be taking reviews from. ; >>



During the 1980s I used to think Fenway was a dump as well, but no more.

If you have not been to Fenway in the past 3 years, you will be surprised how nice it is if you go to a game there now. There are many more restrooms, a new food court (which has pretty decent food), and they close Yawkey way during games so that you can browse there to eat, shop for souveniers, and take a shortcut from one end of the stadium to the other. They have added 3000 new seats (including the popular monster seats) renovated the luxury suites, and replace all the other seats. The field is always in perfect shape -- it drains easily, so they can wait out storms and still get the games in.

As much as I like Fenway, my favorite old park is Wrigley Field. Nothing beats taking the weekday afternoon off for a sunny day game at Wrigley with a cold beer and a brat!! And for an old park, there really is not a bad seat in the house.

ctsoxfan

Fenway is a fantastic place to see a game, and Connecticoin is right - over the past few years, several major and minor improvements have been made to the park that have brought it up to date while retaining the history and charm of the ballpark. Rats? Come on, have you actually been to Fenway, Dan? Behind the old scoreboard in left field, there are tales of a rat or two hiding back there - maybe that's what you heard somewhere...but they are not "running all over the place". My only complaint in some sections is the old seats, they are very narrow and uncomfortable, but they have been changed for better ones.

The success of recent years has brought a lot of the "corporate fans" out to Fenway as well, and true fans like myself now pay more for tickets that aren't as nice...one of my clients does business with a few Sox players, and through him is the only way I can get the really great seats anymore (you can't buy them, and if you could, the price would kill you).

On a few Sox message boards, Yankee Stadium has a nickname - the toilet. I was there last year, and the name couldn't have been more appropriate. It was mostly dirty, and smelled like a subway. Amazing that George will spend $300 million dollars on a team, and have them play in such a run-down facility...but, I'm sure that the new stadium will be tremendous. The only drawback is losing the history of an old park, but in the case of Yankee stadium, it can't happen fast enough.

A761506

This wasn't meant to turn into what it has, but I will defend myself...

I grew up watching games at Tiger Stadium, which was a wonderful place to watch a game. You could smell the rich-aroma of brats & kielbasa the moment you neared the gate. When they decided to close it in favor of a new park, I was more upset that the decision to renovate Tiger Stadium was never even considered. The fact of the matter was, Tiger Stadium was a run-down ballpark that put the Tigers at a competitive disadvantage in terms of ability to generate income from high-end/luxury box ticket sales and had inferior facilities compared to those of the new ballparks that had recently been built shortly before they decided to close it.

But, Tiger Stadium felt and looked like an old-time park... upper and lower deck seats felt like they were right on the field, the overhanging porch in right field that gobbled up many would-be warning track fly outs, centerfield fence always stood 425' (marked 440' on the fence) with the flagpole in play, bullpens on the field, the field had character along with it's rich history. The only real updating ever done to the stadium was the electronic scoreboard in center.

Wrigley Field also looks and feels like an old-time park. The views (lines-of-sight are what I am referring to) are excellent from almost all seats (excluding any sort of obstructed view seat). Wrigley also has tremendous character to go along with it's history - the ivy, the bricking, the scoreboard...

Fenway Park is another example... excellent lines-of-sight, all kinds of character and history - the monster, the old-time scoreboard, the odd outfield dimensions...

What I am saying... after taking in a game at Yankee Stadium (and you're right, a first timer cannot possibly give the same review of someone who has been attending games there for decades), parts of it felt like an old-time park, it certainly looks like one from the outside, but it didn't have the over-flowing character like these other places, just the rich history.

The field, in my opinion, has little character aside from the deep area behind home plate. I imagine much of its character has been stripped over the years, likely the result of the 1970's renovations which I am not familiar with. The outfield wall looks like a temporary fence that was brought in and never removed, shrunken fences took away the famous 461' to center and ultra-deep power alleys while the rounded wall today nearly eliminates the chances of an odd carom. Sure the infield grass is purposely kept longer/thicker than other parks, but not really a huge character thing, just makes it a bit easier for good infielders to play like great ones. The lines-of-sight from unobstructed seats were just not as good (compared to lines-of-sight in other old parks) except from behind home plate, slightly to the left and right sides of the plate where you sit closer to the plate.

This is my opinion... my "review"... and while you may disagree with it, I am entitled to it. This is not meant to be an argument or challenge or bashing, please do not read into it to that degree.

-Josh

softparade

<< <i>On a few Sox message boards, Yankee Stadium has a nickname - the toilet. I was there last year, and the name couldn't have been more appropriate. It was mostly dirty, and smelled like a subway. Amazing that George will spend $300 million dollars on a team, and have them play in such a run-down facility.... >>



Jerry .... really? On a "few SOX message boards" Yankee Stadium has the nickname of "toilet" ?You can't be serious. Boston Red Sox message boards have people that RIP Yankee Stadium ??? How can that be? We are such wonderful neighbors ..... hmmmm

Oh, and very convenient of ya Jerry to INFLATE the Yankee payroll to levels that not even the Yankees could touch. Juuuuust stretch that truth ALOT and it fits perfectly into your agenda. I understand

And OF COURSE Fenway Park which is 12 or so years OLDER then Yankee Stadium is just a PEACH man! Those rat stories can't possibly be true! No way! The Red Sox would never allow it !

And A, no team in the majors kept its infield grass higher then Tiger Stadium That is a long tradition in Detroit that even my father (a life long Tiger fan) recalls and he began attending games in Tiger Stadium in 1941. Anyway, where did you come up with that line of crap A ????

WinPitcher

Not sure what yankee stadium you guys went to. the one i frequent is not a toilet nor a dump.

jealousy......................


cmon guys give it a break.

Steve

bri2327

Steve,

Although I agree it is not a toilet or dump, if you have been to any of the newer, modern buildings you have to admit that Yankee stadium is sadly lacking in many departments. On the other hand, every park other than Yankee stadium is sadly lacking in tradition and history.

Axtell

<< <i>Not sure what yankee stadium you guys went to. the one i frequent is not a toilet nor a dump.

jealousy......................


cmon guys give it a break.

Steve >>



Oh did we hurt yankee stadium's feelings?

Jealousy? Perhaps you should go to a modern stadium and compare the two - you'll quickly see why so many people are bagging on it. The modern amenities truly make a difference.

And apparently plenty of people agree (especially those in charge - as a new yankee stadium will be built).

'Give it a break'? Grow up...it's time for a replacement.

ToppsCo1lector

Ax, why the hell do you care anyway? I'm sure us Yankee fans are more than will to go to this old stadium til the day it closes. Just because there is a trend that every team needs a new stadium doesn't mean the old ones are any worse. I go to Camden Yards a few times a year, now for as beautiful as the stadium is the best part is right around Boogs BBQ. Everywhere else is mundane and to clean. My brothers company has tix right under the large screen in Right-center field next to the bullpen.

I'd sacrifice amenities for history ANY DAY(I'm sure 90% of Yankee fans will agree). Ax, that's just something as a Mariners and Buccaneers fan you just are foreign to, you don't understand it. You won't.

WinPitcher

'Give it a break'? Grow up...it's time for a replacement.

grow up?

what the hell does that have to do with anything?

how about you shut up?

that makes a lil more sense.

Steve

yankeeno7

I miss the fresh roasted peanut stands at Yankee Stadium...why did they get rid of those guys? That really brought the feeling of going to a ball game!

Axtell

<< <i>I'd sacrifice amenities for history ANY DAY(I'm sure 90% of Yankee fans will agree). Ax, that's just something as a Mariners and Buccaneers fan you just are foreign to, you don't understand it. You won't. >>



Why can't you have both?

I am sure there will be a monument park in the new one, and the new stadium will of course pay homage to the old one. Just think of the money Steinny's gonna make selling off the seats out of the old dump!

bri2327

<< <i>

<< <i>I'd sacrifice amenities for history ANY DAY(I'm sure 90% of Yankee fans will agree). Ax, that's just something as a Mariners and Buccaneers fan you just are foreign to, you don't understand it. You won't. >>



Why can't you have both?

I am sure there will be a monument park in the new one, and the new stadium will of course pay homage to the old one. Just think of the money Steinny's gonna make selling off the seats out of the old dump! >>



I will most definately be buying a couple of seats from the stadium when they close it.

tkd7

<< <i>How expensive are Yankees tickets these days compared to say 5 or 10 years ago?

It could be a lot of the old working class fan base is being priced out of attending as much as they
used to and the more monied but less knowledgeable fans are taking their place. >>



I've been saving all my ticket stubs since I was a kid and I've been going to games since the new stadium opened, so I decided to look.

1976 - Loge box $5.50
1977 - Loge box $6
1978 - Loge box $6.50
1979 - Loge box $7
1980 - Loge box $7.50
1981 - Loge box $7.50
1982 - Loge box $8.50
1983 - Loge box $9
1986 - Upper box $9.75
1987 - General Admission Bleacher $4.50
1988 - Upper box $11
1991 - Field box $12.50
1992 - Upper Reserved $9.50
1993 - Upper box $14.50
1994 - Main box $17
1998 - Field box $25
1999 - Upper reserved $14
1999 - Main box $26
2000 - Upper box $26
2001 - Main box $37
2001 - Loge box $42
2002 - Upper box $33
2003 - Main Box $40
2003 - Upper box $33
2004 - Upper box $33
2004 - Main box $40
2005 - Upper box $40
2005 - Upper reserved $19.50
2006 - Upper reserved $19

Not a great survey since I've sat in lots of different seats except lower boxes, but you can see that prices have definitely gone up a lot. I didn't include any ticketmaster charge, which would add another $5-6 to today's prices. Looking at the ticket brochure from this year, there are 11 home games with Upper box and reserved seats at $5. Active military get a free ticket to any Monday through Thursday game. I think the Yankees offer some inexpensive ticket options if you aren't locked into seeing the teams like the Red Sox or Mets.

On the other hand, the tickets are definitely more expensive than other places. I sat 15 rows behind the Padres dugout at Petco last year and that ticket had a $40 face value. It was probably discounted as part of a season ticket package, but that would be a $100 seat at Yankee Stadium.

tkd7

<< <i>This wasn't meant to turn into what it has, but I will defend myself...

But, Tiger Stadium felt and looked like an old-time park... upper and lower deck seats felt like they were right on the field, the overhanging porch in right field that gobbled up many would-be warning track fly outs, centerfield fence always stood 425' (marked 440' on the fence) with the flagpole in play, bullpens on the field, the field had character along with it's rich history. The only real updating ever done to the stadium was the electronic scoreboard in center.

Wrigley Field also looks and feels like an old-time park. The views (lines-of-sight are what I am referring to) are excellent from almost all seats (excluding any sort of obstructed view seat). Wrigley also has tremendous character to go along with it's history - the ivy, the bricking, the scoreboard...

Fenway Park is another example... excellent lines-of-sight, all kinds of character and history - the monster, the old-time scoreboard, the odd outfield dimensions...

What I am saying... after taking in a game at Yankee Stadium (and you're right, a first timer cannot possibly give the same review of someone who has been attending games there for decades), parts of it felt like an old-time park, it certainly looks like one from the outside, but it didn't have the over-flowing character like these other places, just the rich history.

The field, in my opinion, has little character aside from the deep area behind home plate. I imagine much of its character has been stripped over the years, likely the result of the 1970's renovations which I am not familiar with. The outfield wall looks like a temporary fence that was brought in and never removed, shrunken fences took away the famous 461' to center and ultra-deep power alleys while the rounded wall today nearly eliminates the chances of an odd carom. Sure the infield grass is purposely kept longer/thicker than other parks, but not really a huge character thing, just makes it a bit easier for good infielders to play like great ones. The lines-of-sight from unobstructed seats were just not as good (compared to lines-of-sight in other old parks) except from behind home plate, slightly to the left and right sides of the plate where you sit closer to the plate.

This is my opinion... my "review"... and while you may disagree with it, I am entitled to it. This is not meant to be an argument or challenge or bashing, please do not read into it to that degree.

-Josh >>



I think there are a couple of things that hurt the "line of sight" for Yankee Stadium. One is that it is much larger than Fenway and Wrigley (not sure about Tiger Stadium), so many of the far away seats at Yankee Stadium don't exist at other parks. The other thing that hurts Yankee Stadium is that it is built without columns to support the middle and upper decks. As a result, those decks need to be much further from the field from a structural standpoint. Maybe modern engineering has changed that, but it wasn't the case in the '70s. So the tradeoff for not having seats with obstructed views is seats that are farther from the field. Yankee Stadium really isn't an old stadium, it is a stadium built in the 70's. It was basically torn to the ground and rebuilt.

I try to see a game at a different stadium every year, and baseball is the only sport I would think of doing it. For better or worse, each stadium is different. I've been to about 12 stadiums so far and I can give you good points and bad points about my trips, but I loved 'em all.

I think the headline of the post - "what a dump" gave people the idea it wasn't just a review.