Baseball, New York City

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Last June 2005, as part of my baseball stadiums tour, I went to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees play the Tampa Devil Rays. The Yanks lost a close game.

Getting there is very easy by Subway. To get there, we got on the train headed towards The Bronx, a well known rough New York neighborhood. Once you get to 161st Street Station, you know you are in Yankee country.

Johnny Gomes, Outfielder for the Devil Rays, hit a home run as the Yankees lost 4-3. As a whole, I didn't like Yankee Stadium. Maybe it was the hot summer day that made it impossible to breath in the air less stadium. However, I did appreciate the history of the stadium nicknamed "The House That Ruth Built" to commmemorate one of baseball's greatest athletes: Babe Ruth. In American Culture, the New York Yankees are considered to be the most successful professional baseball team. There success can be equated to England's Manchester United, Spain's "Real Madrid", and Germany's Bayern Munchen.

Every year, the New York Yankees are the team to beat. The choice of food isn't that great, but the views of the field from Center Field are excellent given that tickets there cost no more than $25.

And although I don't like Yankee Stadium so much, the history of this stadium is quite remarkable.

Other Facts:

First Game: April 18, 1923
Seat Capacity: 51,000

Equipment: Sun glasses.

Shea is one hell of a cold stadium. We saw the Mets v Expos (now sadly moved to Washington), and the wind was howling in. Maybe I'm just to used to the covered dome in Toronto, but I found it very exposed. Not that nice a stadium either, and the fans were really subdued when we were there (except for a school group from Quebec who must have had a lot of sugar).

Easier to get tickets than Yankees' games. Buy them in advance on the team's website:
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com

Equipment: A coat if early in the season. Cash for a coffee and ballpark frank.

Any Yankee fan (or for that matter, any fan of baseball!) really should see Yankee Stadium. Hurry, though, because it's likely to be torn down after a new stadium is built nearby in 2004 or 2005!

The number of baseball greats who have made history in this park is staggering. The best way to see it is to take a stadium tour led by a very knowledgeable guide. You will be able to walk onto the warning track, sit in the dugout and press box, and walk through Monument Park behind center field. See http://yankees.com to reserve a tour (held almost daily).

Of course, the other best way to experience the magic of this stadium is to see a game, especially if you're a rabid Yankees fan like I am! Try to get tickets the first day they go on sale, because the Yanks have a wonderfully loyal fanbase locally (not to mention those nasy ticket brokers buying up all the good seats!). Otherwise, check eBay for last-minute tickets.

If you can't get out to Yankee Stadium to see a game, you can least get some official Yankee merchandise. This store is just E of Times Square and has everything you can imagine for the Yankee's fan- makes for nice souvenirs for people back home.

It's not enough to go to New York and not experiencing the ultimate New Yorker activity, that is to go to see a Yankee's game. The Yankee Stadium is located at the Bronx, built in April 18,1923 although the team itself was created in 1903. When you go inside the stadium and sit on your seats, don't forget to get hotdogs, beers, and the soft serve ice cream in a small plastic container that shapes like the NY Yankee's hat.

Equipment: Wear the Yankees' outfits .... and support the team.

Known for it's famous baseball team, Yankee Stadium also hosts entertainers and other cultural events. The inaugural baseball game was played on April 18, 1923. After many mini face lifts, and a major face list in 1973, the stadium has had some new looks. The fans remain loyal and flock to the games, new look or old look. Catch a live game, or one of 3 behind the scenes tours to fully understand the history of the park.

No, I wasn't playing the game, but I have been to see the Yankees play twice, and it's a great family trip. There are few away supporters(unlike a footmall match here) so, there is little or no trouble.(a little bit of heckling when I saw them play the Red Sox). The transport to the stadium is great, as there is a subway station right outside(161st Street). A fantastic atmosphere where they bring almost anything you could want to your seat....popcorn? No problem . Beer? Certainly. Kitchen Sink? I'm sure they could arrange that as well!

I stopped in New York during my baseball road trip in 2003. The Mets were the only team in town that week, so I went to see them play at Shea Stadium.

Shea opened in 1964 for the Mets, and has also been home to the Jets football team. The Beatles played in front of 60,000 fans in 1965, and many other concerts followed.

Shea was once considered a modern stadium, but is now one of the lowest rated stadiums in baseball.

Equipment: Tickets should be very easy to get. The Mets have tiered pricing system, which means games against better teams will cost more. Depending on the opponent, tickets can be bought from $5 - $53.