Phillies: Citizens Bank Park
Published by Becky S April 19th, 2004 in sports, philadelphiaOut with the old…
…and in with the new.
Is Philly’s new baseball stadium, Citizens Bank Park, as great as everyone says it is? Did we get our money’s worth? Should there be an apostrophe in Citizens?
General impression: vast improvement over Veterans’ Stadium, but claustrophobic. I’ve been to the Vet for sold-out games and never felt crowded—and the Vet held about 20,000 more people than Citizens Bank Park. Poorly placed concession stands and packed-together seats are the main culprits of the squeezed-in feeling. I realize that new ballparks aspire to provide an “intimate” baseball experience, but there was a little too much intimacy between me and the guy on my left.
And now the important stuff:
- Seats: too close together (see above), but each seat has a cupholder. A stroke of stadium genius!
- Beer: those who aren’t satisfied with Coors and Budweiser will find it easier to locate the good stuff.
- Pretzels: we spend all of this money on a new stadium, and we’re still stuck with those lukewarm, cardboard-flavored Superpretzels? Are you kidding me with these shitty pretzels?
- Other food: going for local flavor instead of big chains (e.g., Tony Luke’s instead of Subway, Peace a Pizza instead of Dominoes). Overall, better than fare at the Vet, though vegetarians are still going to be eating a lot of slices.
- Angry cotton candy man: he’s still there. Do not make eye contact with angry cotton candy man.
- Bathrooms: didn’t see them. Will have to do an update later.
The park was probably intended to be more cramped. That way more fans have a chance to hit JD Drew with batteries when he’s back in town.
How silly of me! I forgot to factor in the battery range when doing my analysis of the new stadium. But still–for the non-JD Drew games, it’s a little cozy for my taste.
You spend an entire day at the ballpark and the only positive is beer selection? No mention of the field, the fact you can see the field walking the whole way around, the big Liberty Bell that rings when a home run is hit? Just crowded and lousy preztels? What makes the stands poorly placed anyway? You made the place sound like a craphole. (Can I say craphole?)
Oh shit, now I’m in trouble! First of all, please note that I also mentioned the cup holders as a positive. Cup holders count for a lot in my book.
You’re right–the Liberty Bell is cool. It’s a tribute to the past (i.e., the old bell at the Vet) with a modern twist. And yes, you can see the field from almost anywhere in the concourse. But everyone already knows about that—I was going for the untold Citizens Bank Story. The small details.
I stand by my poorly-placed food stands remark. It doesn’t make much sense that Tony Lukes and Genos, two of the busiest concessions, are right next to each other in one of the narrowest and busiest parts of the lower level (Ashburn Alley).
Didn’t mean to make the place sound like a craphole (yes, you can say craphole). I enjoyed visiting, and overall, it was a great afternoon.
Should craphole be one word or two?
My hubby is going tomorrow night so I’ll let him know your impressions and see what he thinks! I can’t wait to go see the new park. I even got a little tear in my eye watching the Vet implode. But only a little one. Mostly I’m glad that monstrosity is gone.
wow,it keeps gettin’ better.it is a true philly experience. crowded sure, but the alley is just like the boardwalk,everybody is happy and meanadering. later innings and a block party erupts as many from the upper level embrace the lower concourse rail and focus on the task at hand. a sea of people ringing the lower level giving a claustrophobic feeling ,sure is, and wait to see down the strecth how intense that feeling will grow. heck its philly create your space and converse. i am an upper level season ticket holder and i love the nearly all access availability of our ballpark. the stroll inside the park. the beachchair tailgate outside the park. whats the main complaint that a view of our city and its bridges don,t compare to pnc. well duh! what would any true philly fan want but a focus on the game and the task at hand . win, win, win. red sox and the yankees can keep their caste seating system. the pirates what can you say but get a team to equal one of the best bp’s in baseball ( especially when a drake hatch occurs on the monhaghela during a game, truly awesome). so grab the peanuts,bring a jug of water for your adopted tree in the parking lot and leave the cell phone off while your in your seat. enjoy the game. go phils!!! happy happy