Field:

Food:

• Hot Dogs, pretzels, French fries, pizza, sushi, chicken fingers, ice cream, nachos….the usual.
• The Sidewalk Café
• Stadium Club

Atmosphere:

During the game, expect an atmosphere where the fans are into every pitch of the game.  Fans are usually on their feet, clapping for 2 strike counts against opposing hitters.  The sound effects and music are the usual.  “Cotton Eye Joe” is normally played during the 7th inning stretch after “God Bless America” and “Take Me out to the Ball Game”.

Outside the stadium, there are 2 distinctively different areas.  On the side near the parking garage, you’ll find numerous food and souvenir vendors.  (Some legal, some not so legal).  On the side of the Bleacher’s entrance, you’ll find the subway stop and numerous sports bars and sports memorabilia stores.  This side is a little on the dirty side, but if you are looking to really get a feel for Yankee Stadium, you must take a walk down River Ave. and check out the sites.

Parking:

• Parking Garage and numerous parking lots. If you park in the garage, be prepared for it to take you about an hour to get out of the garage after the game, unless you have parked on the first level. 
• Parking is a little pricey, but what do you expect in New York City!

Restrooms:

• There are usually lines after the game, but sometimes during the game you can get in there with no line. Definitely more are needed.

Seating:

• Due to the aging of the stadium, some of the seat markings are not very clear.  Although, if you check the seating chart before you leave, you shouldn’t have a problem.

• There are numerous sections:  Field Box, Main Box, Main Reserved, Loge, Tier Box, Tier Reserved and the Bleachers. If you sit in the Bleachers, you will not have access to any areas inside the stadium. The Bleachers are surprisingly, alcohol-free.

• The aisle in the upper deck are very narrow.  Once you are seated, don’t expect to get up too many times without annoying the fans next to you.

Interesting Facts/Features:

• ‘The Bat”- most popular meeting place.  It’s actually a boiler stack outside the stadium decorated to look like a giant bat. 120 feet tall.

• The Grounds crew performs the YMCA while they clean the field.

• Monument Park- plaques and retired numbers of Yankee greats (only open up to 45 min. prior to the game)

• Bob Sheppard’s, public address announcer, distinctive voice.  His always announces, the player’s uniform number, name, position, and the uniform number again. (“Now batting, #2, Derek Jeter, Shortstop, #2”)

• White façade in the outfield (technically called, frieze)

• “Roll Call”- The dedicated “Bleacher Creatures” call out the names on all of the Yankees on the field in the first inning until each player acknowledges the bleachers with a wave.  The roll call is lead by a fan, nicknamed, “Bald Vinny”.

• The playing of Frank Sinatra’s, ‘New York, New York” after a Yankees win.

• Nickname:  “The House the Ruth Built”

• “Westminister Chime”- played after the scoring of every Yankees run.  This sound effect is taken from the beginning of the group, “2 Unlimited’s” song, “Workaholic”.

• "Freddy” (Full name:  Freddy Schuman)- unofficial “mascot”.  (check out: Freddy Sez.com). Freddy walks around the stadium during the game carrying a frying pan with a shamrock painted on it.  Fans can come up to him and bang on the pan with a spoon.  It is a distinctive sound that can be heard throughout the stadium.  The pot is usually hit with the same rhythm each time.  He is carries a sign with him that pertains to the current status of the Yankees.  On his website, you can view some of the signs that he has carried in the past. 

Overall Rating:

Questions? Comments? E-Mail me:amanda@baseballstadiumreviews.com