Faced with a barrage of negative public opinion, the New York Yankees relaxed rules prohibiting fans from approaching the field during home batting practice.Faced with a barrage of negative public opinion over the class separation at the new Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees relaxed rules prohibiting fans from approaching the field before games.
When the new ballpark opened, fans were dismayed to find they were barred from coming down next to the field to snare autographs and get a better look at the players; only ticketholders were allowed in these desirable locations.
Of course, this goes against everything baseball stands for: getting close to players is one of the prized parts of the game.
After an uproar from fans, crusades from the city’s tabloids and some disappointing attendance and revenue figures, the Yankees announced a change in policy. Fans will be allowed next to the field even if they don’t hold tickets to the more exclusive areas of the ballpark. Beginning with tonight’s game fans will be allowed next to the field during Yankees batting practice in the bleacher areas and Sections 103-111 and 129-136.
The ballpark will still be segregated: only suiteholders will be allowed in the sections behind home plate.
RELATED STORIES: Trost: No changes anticipated at Yankee Stadium; Empty seats still dominate Yankee Stadium premium areas; Yankees respond to market, slash top-end ticket prices; Yankees reexamine ticket pricing for ’10; Yankees hold open house to push spendy seats at new ballpark; Did Yankees overestimate demand for high-end seating at new ballpark?
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see articles before they’re posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!