First thing you notice is its size. Its massive, and at first a bit intimidating, it’s as if you’re walking into a modern version of the Roman Collesium, which the original 1923 building was modeled after. But once inside, you find it to be spacious, comfortable and impressive. The Yankee greats lining the Great Hall immediately gives you a sense of the history steeped in the franchise. The Museum and Monument park are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the facility, as opposed to the carved out version they had across the street.
It is in every way a modernized version of the original 1923 stadium, and I’m amazed this place is a actually few thousand seats smaller, because it looks about a third bigger than the place across the street. The reason why it has less capacity is the two upper levels are far less steep of an incline, which was one thing I always hated about the upper deck in the old building. Access around the building is a breeze, the hallways are MUCH wider and there’s much more open spaces so even as you’re walking around, you can still see the field.
From everywhere I looked, what I heard was true. There’s just not a bad seat in the house. Much more legroom, seats are wider so you’re not elbowing the guy next to you if you bring a book. The new huge diamond vision is crystal clear, even from the other side of the building it still looks better than my TV at home. I LOVE the old-timey scoreboards on the outfield wall. Even the souvenir stands and bars are tastefully done, not as intrusive as in the old facility. The Hard Rock, which at first I thought was a bad idea, looks like its been there forever and is a welcome addition. The security staff has more of a nightclub feel than the old police presence. Polite, well dressed and helpful. The difference between the new stadium and the old one is you can actually take a date to the new building without feeling like a tool. Grab dinner at 6 and see the game afterward.
The new place is magnificent and grand. I’d like to say there was something about the new place I didn’t like, but to be honest I can’t think of one.
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0 Responses to My First Day in the New Yankee Stadium
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TIQ IQ
Total aweomeness. I am so jealous. In regard to the seats in the upper deck, it is less steep, but that means the seats are further. Ahh, the fate of the little guy.
I was there today as well Steve and I loved it. I sit out in the bleachers, and I felt like I was right on top of the action. I love the open concourses, by far that is the best difference between this stadium and the old one.
Only thing that annoyed me today, was the staff! Seriously why did I have to show my ticket each time I went to my seat in the bleachers. It was an open workout! Why does it matter if people briefly checked out the view from a different seat, there was no game being played! And I can’t tell you how many times I was told not to lean on a railing, place my drink on a wall or not to stand in front of something. I realize the place is new, but jeez lighten up. I was afraid to sneeze at one point.
Other than that, which is obviously a very minor complaint and has nothing to do with the stadium itself, I give it two thumbs up!
I’ll be going to the Friday night game against the Cubs so I will post my thoughts about the new stadium this weekend as well. Thanks for the report Steve, I can’t wait to see it for myself. (Although I hope the game actually gets played considering the bad weather forecast for Friday night)..