Going to the Game 2009

[Gwreck]

Planning a trip to see the Mets in Cincinnati...anyone who's been there have any specific thoughts/advice on things to not miss or things to avoid?

[stevejrogers]

Haven't been there, but check out the Reds HOF and museum.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Didn't MGIM end his Mets losing streak in Cincy last season? I vaguely remember a discussion about Skyline Chili on this forum last season.

[Guest themetfairy]

We were there in 2003. It's a nice place, but it suffered from comparison because the night before we made it to Cincy we saw a game at PNC in Pittsburgh. I remember $2.50 grilled cheese sandwiches at the Great American Ballpark, which the kids enjoyed. And the hot dogs with chili are worth a try.

Not too much about Cincinnati stands out in my memory, other than it's very hilly (I ran a 4 miler there July 4th, which was brutal). There are several hotels downtown within walking distance of the stadium, which is nice. But aside from hanging out with friends, I can't think of anything memorable that we did there.

[seawolf17]

Mmmm, Skyline Chili.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

In fact, Great American Ballpark will always hold a special place in my heart for being the site of the Streak of Shame's demise.

It's a nice park, and you'll enjoy it.

Parking isn't an issue. There are plenty of lots around the stadium, and if you drive around downtown you'll see many. Get more than a couple blocks from the stadium and the prices drop.

Get there early if you can, because there is much to see. As Steve said, the Hall of Fame and museum is just outstanding. All kinds of interactive things to do. You could spend half the day there, even if you're not a huge Reds fan.

There are all kinds of things to do on a plaza beyond the first base side. There's a band stand, interactive activities, food court.

You can't go wrong with the Montgomery Inn stand, with ribs and pulled pork. Get extra sauce to dip the fries and chips.

Skyline is, well, and acquired taste. Think White Castle, but with chili and spaghetti.

The Reds do a great job recognizing the team's history. Walk around the concourse and look for the mosaics, one of the first Reds team and another of the Big Red Machine. You'll also see a ring of quotes, including one from Seaver.

After the game, you can walk across the bridge into Kentucky, and there's a festival marketplace type of place with clubs. Near the stadium there's a full Montgomery Inn restaurant, full of memorabilia.

Enjoy!

[batmagadanleadoff]

The Reds do a great job recognizing the team's history. Walk around the concourse and look for the mosaics, one of the first Reds team and another of the Big Red Machine. [/quote:3lr1gfyf]

I'd be outraged if I went to the Reds ballpark and didn't see a 40 foot high statue of Jackie Robinson. They do have a Jackie Robinson statue? Yes?

[HahnSolo]

I just grabbed four seats for the third home game of the season on StubHub. Will get to see how Citi runs on a chilly April night.

[metsmarathon]

how's the cost compare to the regular price?

i got a pair of left field landing (or whatever they're called) for the first saturday game off the mets site early this morning...

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Stubhub's not terrible, and since they work with MLB, pickup's a lot easier than other e-vendors if you're buying on day-of-game or shortly before.

That said, E-Bay's been dirt-cheap this year. I've picked up 5 games' (2 seats per) worth of seats on E-Bay-- all infield promenade-- for a shade over 200 total. Average cost-- a little over 20 a seat-- is actually below box office rates (even further below once you include the per-game charges tacked on by Team Citifield).

As long as you're not looking for stuff like Yanks-Mets or Opening Day seats, there still plenty of reasonable options on the auction "floor".

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

My friend that came to the game in May with me had a great time. The trip to Shea was the first MLB game he had attended. With that one visit, he went from having only a casual interest in MLB, to being a fan that checks the sports page for Mets game results and boxscores. He told me this morning at church, that he has been watching some of the WBC games on ESPN because several of the Mets were playing. He wanted to know when we could head back to New York to take in a game at Citi Field this season.

I guess I will definitely have to look at getting tickets for a Saturday or Sunday game this summer. Hopefully, the two of us can get together for lunch in the near future and pick a possible date for a trip before single game tickets become too scarce.

[HahnSolo]

how's the cost compare to the regular price?

i got a pair of left field landing (or whatever they're called) for the first saturday game off the mets site early this morning...[/quote:3lpicc21]

Promenade row 11 between home and third for $24/ticket. I think it is slightly higher than face.

Going off-Mets-site gives you more flexibility in choosing your section/price.

[G-Fafif]

Enjoyed a Cheese Coney at Great American Ball Park in July 2003. Alas, I was still feeling it in August 2003. (No kidding.)

My favorite aspect of GABP was the view beyond the river. It's Kentucky -- how often do you get to sit in one state at a ballgame and stare out at another state?

[Benjamin Grimm]

My favorite aspect of GABP was the view beyond the river. It's Kentucky -- how often do you get to sit in one state at a ballgame and stare out at another state?[/quote:bhtmb6zw]

Hmmm....

If you climb as high as you can, can you see New Jersey from Citizens Bank Park?

And on a clear day, with binoculars, can you see Connecticut from either Shea (or Citi, grrrr) or Yankee Stadium?

Those are the only other parks I can think of offhand that are close to a state line.

[HahnSolo]

That minor league park in Camden, the one right under the bridge? Can't you see Pennsylvania from there?

[Guest themetfairy]

I don't know about Camden, but you can definitely see Pennsylvania from the minor league ballpark in Trenton.

[G-Fafif]

I dug walking across the bridge from Ohio to Kentucky on that trip, just like I dig a certain corporate headquarters I've visited that is about six inches inside the Connecticut border from New York. Whenever I go there, I do a Frank Burns "I can step in, I can step out" kind of thing.

To myself, of course.

[metsmarathon]

...and i just got me some tickets to the first mets game at citi... this coming friday night!

we'll be sitting along the outfield wall, hopefully not too far under the pepsi porch. can't wait!

when i checked there seemed to be a fair amount of tickets still available for it. the saturday game, otoh, was a different story. it appeared to be sold out!

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

From the upper levels of Comerica Park in Detroit, you can see another COUNTRY.

And don't think the Canadians aren't pissed about their view. I'm surprised they haven't built a wall.

[nymr83]

I don't know about Camden, but you can definitely see Pennsylvania from the minor league ballpark in Trenton.[/quote:3pgup2lf]

you can see NY Harbor (and thus, NJ) from the Staten Island Yankees ballpark.

[DocTee]

I think SF is the only place where you can be in one MLB stadium and see another (Oakland).

I have been told that one could actually hear the crowds of Yankee Stadium from the Polo Graounds (and vice versa)...wonder if that was true.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Other than the MLB run Mets site, does anyone have any suggestions regarding sites to purchase game tickets? The official MLB site does not provide much flexibilty for choosing seats when purchasing tickets.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess there's always StubHub. I've never used it (although I might give it a try this year) so I don't know if it offers any better options.

[Fman99]

I am wondering when single game tickets for the summer will go on sale. What are they waiting for?

The StubHub site is good in that they have tickets for many games later in the season (season/package ticket holders selling off part of their tickets for games they cannot attend). The problem is the markup and fees compared to buying them direct from the Mets' web site is significant... say, 25-30% higher than the face value of the tickets.

[Gwreck]

I am wondering when single game tickets for the summer will go on sale. What are they waiting for?

[metsmarathon]

lets hope the weather holds off for tonight to be a good day to watch the first mets appearance in citifield.

section 102, row 5. look for the guy who looks nothing like tom glavine...

[soupcan]

Going tomorrow.

Going to miss Opening Day in Flushing for the first tme in 25 years as I'll be out-of-town. I still haven't decided who I'm going to let present Jerry with the horseshoe-shaped bouquet. Any volunteers?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

For less-desirable dates-- I've been hunting for Mondays and Tuesdays mostly, since that's when my fiancee/game partner is free-- E-Bay has worked swimmingly.

I've gotten 5 sets of Promenade Infield tickets for just about $200 (sub-Stubhub prices)-- it's been like a self-created mini-plan.

[Fman99]

I am wondering when single game tickets for the summer will go on sale. What are they waiting for?

[metsmarathon]

so.. what do you think are the chances that there'll be some day-of-game seats available for that home opener thingy?

and, as a corollary, what do you think are the chances that those tickets will be in seats priced less than $250/each?