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!