The New York Yankees started opening gates early this spring training so fans could watch batting practice, and it was so successful the team is extending it to 20 home games at Yankee Stadium.
Watching batting practice is a grand tradition in baseball, but in recent years teams have scheduled batting practices before the gates open to fans. Restoring that grand tradition is a great idea. Yes, there are some additional staffing costs when the gates open early, and the Yankees seem to have hit on a formula that works: only selected areas of the ballpark open early. In spring training, it was the outfield areas — the perfect spot for kids to shag homers.
So the team is extending the practice to Yankee Stadium. The team will open Gates 6 and 8, as well as the Suite Entrance, three hours prior to the scheduled start of every Friday night game, as well as all Saturday games scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. or 7:15 p.m. Prior to these games, the entire Field Level, Great Hall, Bleachers (including Pepsi Lounge), Legends Suites and Club, Champions Suites and Clubs, and Ford Field MVP Club will be accessible. All other gates and the rest of Yankee Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.
All Yankee Stadium gates will open 3 hours prior to the Yankees’ home opener vs. Tampa Bay on Monday, April 2, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
In addition, Yankee Stadium will host three yet-to-be-scheduled “BP Block Parties,” which will be in addition to the dates already confirmed above. Started in 2017, “BP Block Parties” have included a live DJ, face painters, balloon-twisting artists and a demonstration of the Yankees’ “Hands on History” initiative, providing fans the opportunity to hold game-used Yankees artifacts and try on a World Series ring. More information regarding upcoming “BP Block Party” details will be sent at a later date.
For 6:35 p.m. home games, all Yankee Stadium gates will open 90 minutes hours prior to first pitch.
For all other games (except Old Timers’ Day), Gates 6 and 8 and the Suite Entrance will open 2 hours prior to the scheduled start of the game, and the entire Field Level, Great Hall, Bleachers (including Pepsi Lounge), Legends Suites and Club, Champions Suites and Clubs, and Ford Field MVP Club will be accessible. All other gates and the rest of Yankee Stadium will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch.