Monday, April 13, 2009

Citi Field - The New Home of the NY Mets

New York is a baseball town and this season fans are excited to see the premiere of two brand new stadiums in which to watch their favorite team play.

My daughter was lucky to be able to attend an exhibition game of her favorite team, the National League New York Mets, played against the Boston Red Sox, last week, at Citi Field located in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, a borough of the city of New York.
She took these photos of the new Citi Field, and gave me permission to share them on my blog.
The facade of Citi Field is modeled after Ebbits Field, the old home of the former Brooklyn Dodgers, and it brings a sense of nostalgia to fans old enough to remember that stadium.

The beautiful rotunda inside is named for the great Brooklyn Dodger second baseman, Jackie Robinson. On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson emerged as an inspiring figure in the civil rights movement when he became the first African-American man to play major league baseball in the 20th century, making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.



Citi Field features natural grass and has a capacity for approximately 45,000 fans. Its contoured seating configuration brings spectators closer to the field on all levels, which allows for a more intimate viewing experience throughout the park. Its seats are two inches wider than those of the previous Shea Stadium! To see panoramic views of Citi Park you can go to this link.


My daughter loves the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park ,so she was happy to see one as a concession in the new stadium! Just look at that smile!

The concourse level features 360-degree, walk-around circulation around the ballpark with expansive field views and ample standing room.

It's been cold in New York this Spring, as you can see by how my daughter and the other spectators are bundled up as they watch the game!

Some of the new ball park amenities are a "Fan Fest" family entertainment area within the ballpark on the concourse level, an enhanced outfield picnic area, multiple party deck areas, and an interactive Mets museum with club memorabilia and Hall of Fame displays.

A better view of the inscribed rotunda floor that has as Robinson's legacy the "nine values" he embodied as articulated by his daughter and Foundation Vice Chair, Sharon Robinson: courage, integrity, determination, persistence, citizenship, justice, commitment, teamwork, and excellence.

A nice quote by Jackie Robinson can be read on the wall of the rotunda -- it says: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

There are multiple sit-down, climate-controlled restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, within the new ballpark, and a majority provide field views, and have a wide range of menu choices.

A structural steel "bridge" motif throughout Citi Field reinforces the Mets' connection to New York's five boroughs while also symbolically linking the team's storied tradition to its future. Design elements call for exposed trusses, light towers, scoreboard structure, and a roof canopy that recall the ballparks of yesteryear.


Oh, oh -- its raining! Up go the umbrellas and the field tarp is being rolled out!

The game was called because of rain in the fifth inning, but there were still two happy fans in the stadium who had enjoyed their visit, non-the-less! The Mets won, with a score of 4 to 3.

Citi Field looks like a wonderful place to watch a game, and I'm sure my daughter will be back many times to root: "Let's Go Mets!"

I hope you enjoyed this preview of The New York Mets' Citi Field -- stayed tuned as I'll be showing the new American League Yankee Stadium in June!

36 comments:

Sue said...

Pat, I cannot spell!! I want to say that I am so impressed by the topics you choose to write about and share with your faithful readers out here in blog land. We have the opportunity to learn so much from you! Thanks so much.
All the best, Sue

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

While I must admit to being an ARDENT Yankees' fan :-)...this stadium beats the pants off of Shea. It's stunning, really. Good for them for getting a decent "home" after all these years. My brother went to the St. John's / Georgetown exhibition game so he could be among the first inside (he is a super Mets' fan) and reported very good things. (And p.s. I love that your daughter got in on the Mille Fiori Favoriti act! ;-)

Gracie said...

Thanks to you and your daughter for sharing her pics.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I'm with Laura. That stadium looks really impressive. Thank you to your daughter for sharing (and to you too of course).

Tracy said...

Oh, that looks like fun! While I'm not the biggest and greatest fan of baseball, it is fun to watch a game live rather than on TV. I am a Yankee fan! ;o) Happy Days out at the ball games...((HUGS))

supplies overflowing! said...

Fun post!
I loved the photo of Leo on the bunny's lap! So cute!!
A belated happy Easter to you, Pat!
jenny.

Joyce said...

I can't wait to come home to NY to visit my relatives and go to this new stadium. It is beautiful and thank your daughter for taking these great photos to share. My Aunt Millie will be 91 this month. She lives for the Mets! Never call her or visit her when her mets are playing. She would flip out if she could attend a game at the new stadium. She may not remember what she ate yesterday but she knows all the players past and present. God bless my Aunt Millie and God bless our NY Mets!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Gorgeous venue, Pat!

STL has enjoyed the new Busch stadium. It has the look of an old fashioned sort of stadium. Our daughter and her husband bought a brick in memory of our grandson. It's placed near the Stan Musial statue.

Judy said...

Now I'm singing..."Take me out to the ballgame". Thanks for the great tour of your new stadium. I love going to watch a ball game...when the sun is shining...and with a group of friends. I'm not sure I'll ever get to watch a game at Citifield...but, who knows?

Tell your daughter 'thanks'!

Donna said...

Wow, that looks like fun! Nothing like a good ol' ball game. Great photos, Pat!

Hugs,
Donna

pammiejo said...

We've heard all about the new stadium on the news - so, it's great to see inside it! You're a treasure to us who haven't had the pleasure of New York City! Thanks for dropping by my blog. Our book club is reading Still Alice by Lisa Genova this month (about Alzheimers). PAM

dianasfaria.com said...

love your music. thanks for finding me so I could find you!

Anonymous said...

Hia Pat thanks for sharing the trip. We don't go in for baseball in the UK to the same degree so I've never been to a game. My Dad was a softball player so I had those instead. :-)

In the UK you learn to play rounders at school which is similar but with a smaller bat.

Kathy said...

Hi Pat, the new stadium looks amazing and your daughters photos are wonderful, we try to catch a few games especially when we have overseas visitors, we are becoming quite the fans. hugs, Kathy.

Rue said...

Hi Pat :)

I suddenly feel like eating a hot dog... hmmmm.... LOL Great post :)

Oh and I knew what you meant exactly!

hugs,
rue

Nola said...

I love this time of year; a new baseball season beginning and hopes (always) that THIS may be the year for my Rangers!
Wasn't the first hit in the new park a home run? Seems like I heard that on ESPN this morning.

Lorrie said...

Growing up on LI, my brothers were big Mets fans and I remember clearly that they were at Shea the day the "Miracle Met" won the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Thanks for this neat tour of Citi Field Pat!

Kwana said...

What a lucky day for your daughter. I'm a big Yankees girl but so happy for her. You have a wonderful blog!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat, this looks like such fun! I know my husband loves baseball. He actually knew Ted Williams who he said was the world's nicest man and who looked a lot like John Wayne in person. Mr. Magpie was in awe of him.

Can't wait to see Yankee Stadium!

XO,

Sheila :-)

nanatrish said...

This is a great looking place. It looks like your daughter had a lot of fun. It's been chilly down here too for spring. Bad storms and lots of wind.

Betsy Brock said...

That is a gorgeous facility! I think the inscribed rotunda floor is my favorite part!

jeanne said...

Pat, my dh who loves baseball, was just talking about the two new stadiums and here you are posting one of them. How wonderful this stadium is and your info about it so interesting. My dh just went to bed so I will share this post with him in the morning. Your daughter is so pretty and how fun to be there to take such great photos. I love your post today.

Hugs...Jeanne

Gracie said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! A friend of mine was just telling me she had tickets to a Mets game. It's nice to be able to see the pictures of the new stadium. But I'm YANKEES ALL THE WAY!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Cool pics! The stadium looks huge and looks like everyone enjoyed themselves, despite the rain.

Paz

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the tour! How wonderful to think that Jackie Robinson's light lives on and helps others. The quote is awesome, and so many get to see it!

Vee said...

Fantastic new stadium...I love that it looks new but that there is a nod to the past, too. My son will love seeing these the next time he comes to visit. Course, with me a Red Sox fan and he a Mets fan, we're somewhat at odds over baseball.

Claudia said...

I love this post. I watched Shea being built (growing up around three miles away)and am jealous to not see the new stadium. But now I feel I did - in a cyber-sort of way.

Just A Girl said...

Pat your daughter is so darling! Not sure how she can drink a shake in the freezing cold tho :0!

I hope it's warming up in your neck of the woods?!

xoxo Cori

CatHerder said...

Very cool..so glad its baseball season again...cant WAIT to see what our seats look like at the new yankee stadium that my hubby gets from his boss...we had a lux box last year in the old stadium...im assuming the new one is going to be amazing!!! PLAY BALL!!!!

Junie Moon said...

Y'know, no one can ever be bored with all the rich possibilites available where you live. It's wonderful.

Strider said...

What a nice facility! Thanks for the tour. I hope this note finds you well. Blessings.

imjacobsmom said...

Citipark looks like a nice park. We're getting our own new stadium. It should be completed in time for next season! I can hardly wait! But, we will lose our home field advantage with our white domed roof and our overzealous fans and the extremely loud noise - right off the decimal meter! I sure hope the stadium is as pretty as yours when all is said and done! ~ Robyn (a Minnesota Twins fan)

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
Your daughter and her boyfriend make a great looking couple!

Thanks for sharing this NYC site...we didn't make it to Queens!

I did notice a Shake Shack near the fleamarket we went to, but we didn't make it there either!
:) Diane

mary said...

Great looking new stadium. Thanks for the wonderful photos. Growing up in Queens,I remember well those exciting opening days in New York for both the Yankees and the Mets. And now they both have beautiful new stadiums. I like baseball but I sure do love those ballpark hotdogs! Go Mets!

aliceinparis said...

Super place! I am not a baseball fan but I would love to see a game in New York. The stadium looks great.