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For almost a half of a
century, the Mets have called New York City their home. Shea
Stadium, the Mets home for 44 years, was a stadium that was loved by
some and hated by others as it was a multipurpose stadium that
lacked many amenities that fans sought. Throughout the mid 1990s and
into the 2000s the Mets campaigned to have a new ballpark built
that would have all of the modern luxuries of new ballparks. After
more than five years of discussion, the New York Mets unveiled plans
for a new ballpark in April 2006. In March 2006, the Mets received
approval for $632.1
million
in bonds
for construction of a new ballpark. On November 13, 2006 the Mets
officially broke ground for the new ballpark that was built in the
parking lot beyond the outfield of Shea Stadium. Citigroup, Inc., a
financial service company purchased the naming rights to the new
ballpark for $20 million per year over 20 years.
Whether arriving at
the ballpark by car or stepping off the 7 Train, some older fans may
have flashbacks to more than 60 years ago when the Brooklyn Dodgers
played at Ebbets Field. The exterior and facade of Citi Field evokes
memories of the former home of the Dodgers with its red brick and
limestone facade and arched entrances. The most striking feature at Citi Field is the Jackie Robinson rotunda at the main entrance of
the ballpark. Upon entering the rotunda, the view and atmosphere is
just as impressive as the outside facade. Nine ideals associated
with Jackie Robinson are engraved on the floor and flat panel TVs
play highlights
of Robinson's career. Escalators and grand staircases take fans to
their seats. Throughout the ballpark, fans continually have views of
the ballpark from the open air concourses including from the split
level upper deck.
With a seating capacity
of 42,000, Citi Field has an intimacy that was not found at Shea
Stadium. Nearly 42% of the seats are found in the lower deck. The
main three tier grandstand runs from the right field foul pole to
home plate, down to the left field foul pole and into left
centerfield. Additional seating is located in right field. Over 50
luxury suites are found at the ballpark including ones behind home
plate below the main concourse. In right field the Pepsi Porch, that
seats over 1,200 fans, can be found. This seating area, modeled
after Tiger Stadium, overhangs the playing field, and may allow for
some easy homeruns. One of the most unique group areas at Citi Field
is the Modell's Clubhouse, a group seating area in right field, on
the field level, that provides an awesome perspective of the action
on the field. Several exclusive club areas can be found at Citi
Field including the Ebbets Club and Delta Sky Club behind homeplate,
and the Acela Club, a restaurant, located in the left-field corner
between the lower and upper decks.
Amenities
are abound at Citi Field including the enhanced outfield picnic area
adjacent to the batter's eye that is known as the Taste of the City.
Here fans can grab a bite to eat and mingle with other Mets fans.
Further entertainment options at Citi Field include an interactive Mets
museum with club memorabilia and Hall of Fame displays. The famous big
apple at Shea Stadium has been replicated at Citi Field. It is
now
located behind the centerfield fence and rises each time a Mets player
hits a homerun. Fans can now take their picture with the old Apple, as
it is located in the Bullpen Plaza behind the seats in centerfield. Also
moved from Shea Stadium is the famous skyline that was atop the
scoreboard, as it is now atop a restaurant in centerfield. Two HD
video/scoreboards can be found at the ballpark, one 50' high by 70' wide
in centerfield and one 40' high by 90' wide in right-centerfield. The
New York Mets christened Citi Field on April 13, 2009 when they played
the San Diego Padres. Due to the lack of homeruns at Citi Field,
prior to the start of the 2012 season, the Mets altered the playing
dimensions at Citi Field. The Mets lowered, 12 feet to 8 feet, and
moved, 4 feet in leftfield and up to 12 feet in left-center field, the
fences. The area between the existing and new fences has created a new
limited seating area for fans. The fence in front of the Mo's
Zone/Modell's Clubhouse was moved in approximately ten feet providing
additional field level seating here. As part of the renovations, the
fence colors are now royal blue with an orange line, similar to the
outfield fence at Shea Stadium.
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