By Brian Bohl
BRONX, NY-When reciting a favorite memory of an inaugural visit to a ballpark, many people usually think back to childhood and reference the awe-inspiring feeling of seeing the enormity of a major league field for the first time. They might also speak whimsically about the buzz of a crowd as they moved through the turnstiles, anticipating the magic to follow.
A New York baseball fan will not have to be a child to experience similar emotions this season. Both the Mets and Yankees are providing gown-ups the chance to gasp in awe of a palatial venues.
New Yankee Stadium accomplishes a difficult feat for patrons first stepping into the $1.5 billion playpen. Before scoping out Monument Park behind the 408 centerfield sign or the twin manual scoreboards in left and right-center field, a majestic 59-by-101 foot high definition scoreboard located directly in center steals the attention.
To put that in context, a standard IMAX screen is 52-by-72 feet. In a park that plays up the Yankees 26-World Series championship pedigree, even the ultra-modern video board highlights the franchise’s rich tradition. Cleveland hitters gazed up to see a Mickey Mantle documentary while waiting behind the home-plate cage during batting practice Sunday.
The Yankees tried to maintain a link to the past. Similarities to the old Yankee Stadium, which still stands one block south of the new stadium, include tailoring almost identical wall dimensions and navy-blue hued seats. The listed capacity of 53,325 is also similar to the old park, along with the upbeat organ music that provides a laid-back ambience in the minutes before opening pitch.
But the facility is starting to show some differences from its predecessor, which opened in 1923. No longer is the Bronx courthouse visible in the outfield. New Yankee Stadium is emerging a home run haven, with 26 long balls flying over the wall through the first six games.
“Both teams have to bat. Both teams have to pitch,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s too early to tell anything.”
Enhancing the regal theme is a clubhouse that stretches from nearly the outfield to behind home plate in width and includes indoor batting cages, expanded weight rooms and training areas. In case anyone needs a reminder as to who owns the exercise in opulence, the new carpet features the famous interlocking NY emblem. Around the entire clubhouse, about two and a half times as large as the old stadium, is a replica of the white frieze that circumscribes Yankee Stadium
“Take a look around,” Brian Bruney said. “There are screens in your lockers, lockers that are three times the size of other places. Cubbyholes. We have a chef. It’s just crazy stuff. It’s the best venue in any sport, I guarantee you that.”
As the grounds-crew watered the field before Sunday’s 7-3 victory, a video on the ballpark featured player reaction to the stadium. Fittingly, the piece closed with a song from Field of Dreams. Minus the cornfields, the new place in the Bronx earns that moniker.