Out Of Town Fans Unable to Watch The Visiting Team Take Batting Practice From The Field Level At The New Yankee Stadium

We thought this debate ended last week, when the Yankees announced revised batting practice policies, allowing fans close to the field during batting practice. Unfortunately, according to reports from the stadium, security guards have been instructed to kick fans out of the field level sections at 5:45 - Nearly an hour and a half before the game begins.

The policy is stated as follows according to the official fan guide:

Those fans who take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy batting practice and infield workouts from the Field Level and/or the Bleachers may remain until the players leave the field following the conclusion of the Yankees batting practice or 1 hour and 45 minutes after the Gates open. At that time, all fans will be asked to return their respective seats.

It is unbelievable that we didn't notice this when the new policy was announced last week. Allowing Yankees fans to see Yankees batting practice from the field level sections should have been a given, but it was still appreciated when the Yankees saw the error in their ways and changed the fan guide. However, we didn't even think about the fact that some people, unable to afford expensive seats, might want to see the visiting team take batting practice as well. Yes, even Yankees fans.

Nick is at the game right now and would love the opportunity to snag a batting practice home run hit by Ryan Howard or Chase Utley, or even just see superstars of that caliber up close. Unfortunately, 5:45 PM arrived and security swept the field level sections, rounding up people who belonged in the cheap seats and rudely telling them to leave.

It is a shame, because during the last few games we attended at the stadium, we really started feeling at home. Security guards seemed to be in better spirits, the overall flow of the building had improved, and of course the Yankees were winning.

It makes absolutely no sense that the Yankees would risk more bad PR and not just let fans stay in the field level sections until the conclusion of batting practice. At the old stadium, once batting practice was over, everyone knew that was the time to leave those sections and headed to their own seats. There was no need for overzealous security guards - everyone acted like mature adults and acted on their own volition. There was always plenty of time left before first pitch for those who belonged in the field level sections to get comfortable in their surroundings.

Once again, the people making the policies at the new Yankee Stadium can't get out of their own way. Is anyone surprised? Read the full post, after the jump

The impact of an outspoken fan base -- The Yankees are listening.

“There are a lot of things wrong with this building we’re trying to fix. With the help of the fans and the media, we’re looking into everything.” - Yankees Senior Adviser Felix Lopez on WCBS (via Sam Borden - LoHud)

The security seems much more relaxed. Movable concession stands have been relocated to more convenient, accessible areas. Silly policies have been changed, and some ticket prices have been dropped. Last night, I attended my first regular season game of the season. I had a much better time than I had at either of the exhibition games I went to, noticing several changes since I last visited in early April.

It has been well documented here at NSI that we aren't completely satisfied with the new stadium. In fact, Ross went as far as hinting he may have enjoyed Citi Field more than Yankee Stadium. But it's time to commend the Yankees for quickly responding to some complaints from fans, and addressing some of the issues at the new stadium.

Have all of the issues been addressed? Of course not. Monument park is still a joke, there are still entire sections of seats going unsold, and the ball continues to fly out of the park at an historic pace. BUT, if the first 6 weeks of the season are an indicator, the Yankees will come up with logical solutions in due time, and it is up to fans and the media to continue to hold the Yankees accountable.

We have to understand that this is a process. Not every stadium opens as the "perfect park". Hell, this one may never come anywhere near perfection. As fans, we should continue to be vocal, because it seems that the Yankees are willing listen.

Sometimes we may not enjoy every detail of this new stadium. But if there are major issues that need to be addressed, we all want to know. At New Stadium Insider, we love to speak up, and we hope our readers do as well. Stay aware of the fact that if there are issues with the new stadium, the Yankee front office deserves to know, as do fellow fans who might not have gotten an opportunity to visit yet. Who knows what difference it could eventually make? Read the full post, after the jump

Lonn Trost And The Yankees Need a Better Publicists Version 2,087

“If you purchased a suite, do you want people in your suite?” Trost said, referencing the pricey Legends Suites that are closest to the field. “If you purchased a house, do you want people in your house?”

Lonn Trost is so out of touch with the fans that he doesn't even know the way the old Yankee Stadium worked. In 2008, people were able to congregate by the foul poles and meet players, watch batting practice, and enjoy being close to the field. Now, there is a security guard stationed at every single entrance to the field level seats, including the outfield box seats in front of the bleachers. Nobody pining for access to the area close to the field during BP wants to sit in anyone's "house." What an asinine quote from the person who is running the Yankee organization into the ground.

Why didn't any of the beat writers reporters covering the press conference follow up with a question about non-Legends field level access? Perhaps it is because they too are slightly out of touch with the plight of the average fan? Perhaps it is because they talk the talk in op-ed columns regarding Trost, but once they get in front of him they fall for his ratty charm? We'll never know.

Unfortunately, all we learned from Lonn Trost's press conference today is that the Yankees are price gauging as always (in regard to the memorabilia pricing) and they still don't understand how to make some easy fixes to the new stadium. Would it have been so difficult to announce
some positive news instead of continuing to allow the barrage of stories with a negative tone? We stand by the fact that the Yankees need to consider hiring a completely different PR firm and starting anew. We hear A-Rod knows a guy. Read the full post, after the jump