The New Home of the Philadelphia Phillies

[DISshopkeeper]

Dh and I went to the first game ever at Citizens Bank Park today. Oh boy! I think the Phillies scored a home run with this one. The park is BEAUTIFUL! It reminds me of Baltimore's Camden Yards.

I really thought the last thing Philly should be spending money on was a new baseball park. I might have been wrong.

We ate at a place called Harry the K's. Named after famed Phillies broadcaster, Harry Kalas. They were having their problems today. Computer issues, REALLY slow service. All made better by providing FREE BEERS once we were seated! Two for each of us! We had some really tasty turkey wraps.

Eventually we went to our seats right near the foul pole in left field. Great sight lines. We were in the 1st row of the section and it felt like we were really close to the action. Now that those outfield seats are so close to the field, the Philly fans have started the "Throw it Back" when the opposing team hits a homer. DH tells me that's a Chicago tradition. (Dan???)

I'm really not much of a baseball fan. So I then took a stroll all around the concourse. The food vendors are varied. Everything from Gino's Steaks to a BBQ stand hosted by Greg Luzinski, who sat on a folding chair and signed autographs for HOURS. They didn't ever give him a table. And he was very pleasant and everyone got a smile. He signed my ticket.

There's a Build a Phanatic shop, hosted by the Build a Bear folks. That place was BUSY all day. It was $22.00 to make a Phanatic in his little pinstriped jersey. And it's a good size, maybe about 18".

There was a Festival atmosphere there today. At any given point during the game I would say about 50% of the seats were empty and I'd say that those folks were all on the concourse or checking out the other fun spots.

Oh, yeah, they DID play a baseball game today against the Cleveland Indians. The first hit ever in the park was a Jim Thome home run. I've been telling DH that it was probably a set-up. Somebody must have paid the pitcher to serve up a plum for Thome to SMACK! The Phillies lost the game 6-5.

If you live in the area, or are just visiting, this place is SO worth a visit!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Thanks for sharing this with us, Shopkeeper.

I just love a live baseball game, and I'd have done the same thing as you, i.e., check out the new digs.

My 7 yo would LOVE to make a Phanatic. It'd be a combination of two things he adores: Build-A-Bear and baseball. It'd be nice if they had something like that in Shea Stadium.

 

[TZMOM]

We loved the stadium, too!! It is beautiful and very creative.

Just can't wait until the parking situation gets cleared up. We saw too many people almost having a slugfest over a parking spot!!!

We bought 2 bottles of water, 2 ice cream cones, 1 pretzel and 1 lemonade for about $28.00. We thought WDW prices were bad!!!

Although it is a fantastic place to play ball, I still think that all the millions (or billions) that were spent on a place to play a game could have been better spent on the impoverished people of the City.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I am glad to hear it! We are going in July. DHs company has a luxury box at the new stadium. They were the engineers on the project and the box was one of the perks.

As for the prices, well, unfortunately every where we go is expensive.

Wishing everyone a "magical" day!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Originally posted by TZMOM


Although it is a fantastic place to play ball, I still think that all the millions (or billions) that were spent on a place to play a game could have been better spent on the impoverished people of the City.

I agree. There was a plan floated to re-vamp the Vet at a much lower price tag.

Having been there, thought I can see that is IS a wonderful asset to the city. Didn't buy many textbooks though....