Yanks Lied – Seats Smaller In New Stadium
In the last Yankee Stadium, my seats were in Section 15 of the Loge. And, in the new Yankee Stadium, my seats are in Section 213 of the Main Level. So, basically, I’m sitting, roughly speaking, in the same part of the ballpark, now, as I did in the old Yankee Stadium.
And, when I say “roughly speaking,” I mean it. Here’s the deal:
When I went to see the Yankees play the Cubs on April 4th, there were a few people around me complaining that the seats in our section were “more narrow” than the old Stadium. However, since many of us were bundled up for winter that day – as there were 50 MPH winds that afternoon – I discounted that feedback, a bit. Plus, most of the lamenting was coming from the guys sitting behind me – and they were pretty fat. So, I figured maybe it was more their issue than the seats.
However, having attended Opening Day in the new Yankee Stadium, yesterday, I’m now on board with the “Hey, these seats are smaller!” crowd. Actually, there were a lot of fans in my section griping about their seats being narrower and “tighter.” I heard it from the people next to me, in front of me, and behind me.
In fact, the guy sitting directly to my left, was somewhat annoying – for a while – because of this…until he moved to an empty seat elsewhere. Several times, during the pregame and the early stages of the game, he would point out something to his buddies (on the center field scoreboard). And, because the quarters are now so tight, and the seats so small, etc., whenever he would point to the outfield his right elbow would end up right in front of my nose. Also, in the new Stadium, there’s not a lot of room when you’re on your feet in front of your seat. Several times, when someone had to pass me, they stepped on my feet or hit my drink (sitting in the cup holder).
I’ve always heard stories about how the seats in Fenway Park make you feel like sardines in a can. But, at least that park has an excuse – because it was built in 1912. This should not be happening in a $1.5 billion, brand new, baseball “palace.”
When you go to the Yankees website and look at what the team has provided in terms of comparing the seating area in the old Stadium to the new one, this is what you see:
So, the Yankees are claiming they have increased the width of the seats in the new Stadium as well as the leg room between rows of seats. Really? Well, I’ve got news for them. Based on the two games that I’ve attended so far in the new Yankee Stadium, I’m not seeing it. And, neither are many of the people sitting around me. Sounds like the Yankees are trying to sell the fans a bill of goods with this one. And, shame on them for doing that.
I’m sorry to hear that because we’re now no longer on the aisle and that was the saving grace of our last seats. A 4-person row and on the aisle made for very comfortable seating…
Given the cramped nature of stadium seating @ the old park, I may have to choose my seats wisely when I go to the new park.
MJ, FWIW, it’s not all that bad. Our seats only have 4 seats between us and the aisle.
MJ, FWIW, it’s not all that bad. Our seats only have 4 seats between us and the aisle.
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Thanks, good to hear.
I’m more concerned with guys poking elbows into my nose. I can take it once or twice but if we end up next to some drunk or an aggressive/annoying Bosox/Mets fan…ugh, it’ll get old quick.
Have you controlled for the size of your ass? I know personally I put on 5-10 pounds over the course of the winter.
Old Fezziwig wrote:
I’m 5′ 10″ – and, while I’m somewhat broad shouldered, I’ve consistently weighed between 165 and 170 pounds for the last three years. In fact, this AM, when I jumped on the scale it came in at 165.5. So, trust me, the cramped quarters there had more to do with them than it did my ass.
MJ wrote:
Yeah, without question, if the person next to you is drunk, then it’s going to be a real hassle to be sitting in seats like these…then again, THAT was a hassle in the old place too…
I’m 5′ 10″ – and, while I’m somewhat broad shouldered, I’ve consistently weighed between 165 and 170 pounds for the last three years. In fact, this AM, when I jumped on the scale it came in at 165.5. So, trust me, the cramped quarters there had more to do with them than it did my ass.
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ouch if you’re cramped my 6’1″ 230 pounds ass is gonna by cramped
Yankee Inc is lying to the fans…that can’t be. I don’t know why the hell the Evil empire is BSing the fans for. Yeah, it sounds good that the seats are bigger because people are bigger(fatter than in 1976 for sure)these days. I don’t care about so-called “annoying” Mets or Red Sox fans, I block them out like a pitcher blocks out the noise of the crowd!If someone really wants a peachy keen version of the game stay at home and watch it on glorious HDTV, otherwise you get what you pay for……
I was at the game yesterday in 203. I can’t comment on the seat width with any confidence, but in my opinion there was definitely more leg room, which was really nice, as was the cup holder.
Ken – where did you sit in the old Stadium – about the same place where 203 is now?
I’m sorry to hear your seats are smaller. I was in Tier 15 and am now in Grandstand 412 (just a little bit further out), and my seats seem about the same, and there’s more legroom – and less vertigo. Plus, I have an aisle now, so I’m pretty happy.
It was weird to go up to the top of the grandstand and look across the street at the “old” Stadium – the sod is up already. I guess we’ll get a good look at them taking it down during the season.