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Headed to Shea on Saturday!

metsguyinmichigan Jun 21 2008 05:15 PM

Anybody else headed to the Saturday game against the MFYs? I'm going to my first game at Shea since 1991 -- it's a long story -- and naturally I'm excited beyond all measure. If any other Crane Poolers are going to be present, I'd love to say "Hi." My last time there was pretty special, a Gooden win against the Dodgers, I had press credentials to get on the field and all. But shockingly, it's also the last time I've seen the Mets win a regular season game in person. It's a streak of shame through games in Detroit, St. Louis, Miami, Chicago and Cincy. I'm sure Shea has changed a little since then. I have some quick questions: 1) Just how bad is the parking? We plan to get there early -- stupidly early, because I want to wander all over the place to get photos. Is there still stadium parking, or is that all Citi Field? Any tips? 2) What time do the gates open? Two hours before game time? 3) Are backpacks banned? 4) Is the clubhouse store any good, or should I just try to find a Modell's somewhere to buy stuff? Thanks!

SteveJRogers Jun 21 2008 05:35 PM Re: Headed to Shea on Saturday!

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Anybody else headed to the Saturday game against the MFYs? I'm going to my first game at Shea since 1991 -- it's a long story -- and naturally I'm excited beyond all measure. If any other Crane Poolers are going to be present, I'd love to say "Hi." Most likely I'll be there. ]1) Just how bad is the parking? We plan to get there early -- stupidly early, because I want to wander all over the place to get photos. Is there still stadium parking, or is that all Citi Field? Any tips? Its not as bad as one would think, especially when you get there only. Citi Field just takes up only the old 126th Street lot, so the rest of the parking lot is still completely available. ]2) What time do the gates open? Two hours before game time? Yuppers. ] 3) Are backpacks banned? I thought they still were, but I saw a thread on Baseball-Fever.com that suggests that backpacks are indeed allowed. I'd call Shea beforehand. ]4) Is the clubhouse store any good, or should I just try to find a Modell's somewhere to buy stuff? Its pretty cool, but yeah, the prices are more expensive inside the stadium.

Nymr83 Jun 21 2008 05:42 PM Re: Headed to Shea on Saturday!

contrary to what the Mets have been saying the last 2 years, parking is fine if you are early. parking is, however, a mess if you get there once the lot fills up (normally 40 minutes before game time you are still ok, but for mets-yankees i'd be earlier.) i've never tried to bring a backpack in, but my shopping bags filled with food have never received more than a cursory "open that for me...ok go on in" from the mets website: ]How early may we enter Shea Stadium prior to the start of the game? Gate C opens two and a half hours prior to the scheduled game time. You and your guests are invited to enter through Gate C and enjoy batting practice from your ticketed seats. All other gates open one and a half hours prior to the scheduled game time, except the Diamond Club entrance, which opens two hours prior to the scheduled start of night games. Opening times may vary for doubleheaders and special game dates.

Kong76 Jun 21 2008 06:27 PM

mgim: >>>I'm sure Shea has changed a little since then<<< Not a lot! I almost always have a backpack, a generic Jansport/EMS type day pack and it only gets a quick looking through to make sure ya left the C-4 at home.

Gwreck Jun 21 2008 09:46 PM

Parking: For Mets-Yankees, a 3:55 PM start -- I would suggest being there no later than 2 hours before the game if you want to ensure a spot. I'm sure for other random weeknight games it's not so bad but you can count on this one being a total disaster. Backpacks: No problem, they'll search it. Food is fine; drinks in plastic bottles are fine. (No glass, cans or booze). Team store: The one inside the stadium is always super-crowded unless you get there early. There is an auxiliary one set up outside Gate E (near the entrance to the subway) that also tends to get crowded. If you'll be there early, you can probably find something cool, they have a lot of stuff that says "last season at Shea" naturally.

SteveJRogers Jun 22 2008 09:55 AM

Gwreck wrote: Team store: The one inside the stadium is always super-crowded unless you get there early. There is an auxiliary one set up outside Gate E (near the entrance to the subway) that also tends to get crowded. If you'll be there early, you can probably find something cool, they have a lot of stuff that says "last season at Shea" naturally. It actually dies down a bit when the game gets going. Though there should be extra traffic due to the Yankees playing. Also there is another "team store" located in the Diamond Club Lobby, situated inbetween the two "restaurants" (well, its the same restaurant. Just a pricey buffet on one side and a decently priced bar & grill on the other) and just behind the Hall of Fame display. Its basically a glorified stand, but its been there for many years and is less hectic than the big one on the Field.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 22 2008 11:00 AM

Isn't the problem with the Shea parking lot more a matter of getting out after the game than it is getting in before the game? Last time I parked at Shea, it took me almost two hours to make my way out of the lot. That was in 2000, and I don't think I'll ever park there (or at Citi Field) again.

Gwreck Jun 22 2008 12:10 PM

Hardly. Don't know what game you saw but 2 hours to get out of the lot is abnormally high.

Nymr83 Jun 22 2008 01:08 PM

it once took me that long, i was in the lot across the street (roosevelt ave) from the ballpark. i usually get out pretty fast, you need to park by the exit (instead of trying to park close to the stadium, more walking = less time trying to exit later on.) It helps if you leave the moment the last out is made as well, instead of standing around for too long because then everyone is in their cars before you and you are screwed.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 22 2008 01:25 PM

My problem was that I got there late (it was a weekday day game) and all the spots near the gate were already taken. I ended up having to park deep in the lot, which, as stated above, is not a good thing to do.

Nymr83 Jun 22 2008 01:29 PM

well your only option then is to stand by the tunnel in the 9th inning and sprint down the ramps for the car upon the last out. Your mileage with this method may vary depending on the stamina and out-of-shapeness of your party.

metsguyinmichigan Jun 25 2008 08:08 PM

Great, great tips, everybody! Thank you very much. I'm so excited about this game.