Good ballpark policies...

[hsnterprize]

Okay...since I started a thread about bad ballpark rules, I thought...equal time towards the positives. So here's your chance to put your favorite ballpark's good rules in the spotlight.

I'll start...U.S. Cellular Field IS very family friendly, and one of their attributes is they let you bring food into the ballpark. If you want to bring sandwiches, juice boxes, and other small stuff...you can. I think the only stipulation (since 9/11/01) is that they have to be in a container a security guard can see through. Once it passes inspection, you're in the clear...and that obviously saves money in the long run.

Another family friendly guideline is that if you bring small children to the game, and they're shorter than the 4-foot gate thingy people go through when they get thir tickets checked...the kids get in free. They don't need a ticket, but they'd have to sit on the lap of the adult who brings them to the park.

And one of my favorite perks...military personnel get in for either 1/2 price or free if/when they're in uniform. I'm not sure what the pricing is, but I do know there is a military discount in place there.

So that's my "big-ups" to the Cell's good policies. What say you about your place?

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/f/f4/150px-USCellularFieldLogo150.PNG

[Elvis]

I like Dodger Stadium's outside food policy as well. You can bring in basically any kind or amount of food you want, and bottled soda, juice and water is a-ok as well, as long as the bottle is plastic, 1 liter or smaller and sealed.

Video cameras are ok to bring in too, just no tripods.

I also like how they allow any ticket-holder to watch BP from the bleachers, as well as allowing any ticket-holder to access the field box seats for autographs during BP.

[RuthMayBond]

I also like how they allow any ticket-holder to watch BP from the bleachers,Big whoop, most parks allow any ticketholder to watch BP from wherever

<as well as allowing any ticket-holder to access the field box seats for autographs during BP.>

NOT what I was told :grouchy

[skobabe8]

Do any parks out there have ushers who block the aisles during action not letting people back to their seats??? I love this policy. Nothing worse than a parade of people walking up or down the aisle during a pitch.

(I thought either Comerica or Coors did this, but I could be wrong.)

[deadcenter~440]

Do any parks out there have ushers who block the aisles during action not letting people back to their seats??? I love this policy. Nothing worse than a parade of people walking up or down the aisle during a pitch.

(I thought either Comerica or Coors did this, but I could be wrong.)

Comerica does not have that policy, although, I would love to see it implemented. So many oblivious people who are not considerate of others watching the game........

Funny though, because Mr. Illitch's other pro franchise in Detroit, the Red Wings, do have that policy at Joe Louis Arena.

[sflnyc]

Big whoop, most parks allow any ticketholder to watch BP from wherever


I think Elvis meant that access to and from the Bleachers was unrestricted, which is a big deal. I'm presuming that Dodger Stadium policy is like Yankee Stadium in that if you are in the bleachers, you don't get access to the rest of the park (during BP or otherwise) and visa versa. Personally, if was watching BP, I would rather sit in the bleachers to catch the balls that are raining down there which most likely wouldn't land there during a game.

[sflnyc]

Do any parks out there have ushers who block the aisles during action not letting people back to their seats??? I love this policy. Nothing worse than a parade of people walking up or down the aisle during a pitch.

(I thought either Comerica or Coors did this, but I could be wrong.)

That policy is also in place at Dolphin Stadium. I used to work some games as an usher there 6-7 years ago (go to MLB + NFL games for free and get paid for it - and also watching the game :shhh:) As a fan I used to be bothered by some usher not letting me get to my seat, but after doing the usher thing, appreciated the reason why.

[sflnyc]

Here's my contribution

No Umbrellas! Yes, even here in rainy SoFla.

Another rule which when it was first implemented I didn't like, but then quickly liked. Can't believe now that I thought at one time "how dare they tell me I can't bring in an umbrella". Not only does one not have to worry about being impaled or poked in the eye by a neighboring umbrella, but more importantly, one gets to see the game with a clear path, not craning yoru neck to see through an opening between the umbrellas in front of you. Ponchos are a great thing.

Here are two personal photos that I took on a rainy night at Shea during the Mets-Cardinals showdown in September 1985.

[RuthMayBond]

I think Elvis meant that access to and from the Bleachers was unrestricted, which is a big deal.You still haven't explained how

<I'm presuming that Dodger Stadium policy is like Yankee Stadium in that if you are in the bleachers, you don't get access to the rest of the park (during BP or otherwise) and visa versa.>

Correct :grouchy

<Personally, if was watching BP, I would rather sit in the bleachers to catch the balls that are raining down there which most likely wouldn't land there during a game.>

At sitting there where EVERYONE else is. How about down the foul line, so the guys don't have to hit it perfectly? How about the entire RIGHT FIELD side, which is blocked for at least the beginning of BP at Dodger Field?

[stlfan]

At Busch II, up until the mid 90's you couldn't leave the bleacher area nor could those in the rest of the stadium enter the bleacher area. The bleacher fans actually had their own entrance. There were stairs from the outside that went under the main councourse and into the bleachers. There was a fencing dividing the back of the bleachers and the concourse that encircled the ballpark. One of the many things that sucked about this is that I think there was only one concession stand and one men's restroom and one women's restroom in the bleacher area.

I think when the new ownership group bought the team in the mid 90's and they made all of the improvements (grass instead of astroturf, moving the bullpens, etc.) they opened everything up as far as the bleachers were concerned and paved over the stairway leading to the bleachers from the outside. I think that the policy of not being able to access the field level seats without a ticket remained after the new ownership.

The food policy at Busch III is that you can bring in food and drinks, which I do all of the time. My family and I or my girlfriend and I stop by Gus' Pretzels before the game and either get a hotdog wrapped in pretzel dough or a brat prepared the same way. I recommend those visiting St. Louis do the same. Much cheaper than food at the ballpark and tastes better too. It's right across the highway from the brewery. Ok, now I am hungry.

I have brought cameras in as well, but never a video camera. The staff at the gates make EVERYONE open their bags though.

[Elvis]

I think Elvis meant that access to and from the Bleachers was unrestricted, which is a big deal. I'm presuming that Dodger Stadium policy is like Yankee Stadium in that if you are in the bleachers, you don't get access to the rest of the park (during BP or otherwise) and visa versa.

Not only that, but normally you can't even go from level to level in the main grandstand--mainly because of how the stadium was constructed into the hill--the gates are at each level and there are no interior ramps.

[Astros]

Do any parks out there have ushers who block the aisles during action not letting people back to their seats??? I love this policy. Nothing worse than a parade of people walking up or down the aisle during a pitch.

(I thought either Comerica or Coors did this, but I could be wrong.)

Minute Maid Park has this in place, especially around the infield sections. It has been somewhat successful. The ushers have signs that they hold up and when there is a break in the action (visit to the mound, pitching change, etc.) they allow people back down the aisles.

[J2K]

Minute Maid Park has this in place, especially around the infield sections. It has been somewhat successful. The ushers have signs that they hold up and when there is a break in the action (visit to the mound, pitching change, etc.) they allow people back down the aisles.
The Twins are also very good at doing this. They make you wait until the at-bat is over.

[Jim Vaz]

As far as the fans being stopped from entering through the concourses during play this practice is done at most if not all NBA and NHL venues. I'm glad some baseball has adopted this. Nothing worse then a crowd of fans in front of you obstructing your view.

[nymdan]

Minute Maid Park has this in place, especially around the infield sections. It has been somewhat successful. The ushers have signs that they hold up and when there is a break in the action (visit to the mound, pitching change, etc.) they allow people back down the aisles.

I don't necessarily like that policy. At a place where the bathrooms are too small to leave at the end of the half inning and get back before the beginning of the next half inning (Shea, I'm talking about you), I wouldn't like to be forced to watch at the entrance to the section. I try to be respectful when I come back, so I won't walk in front of somebody during a pitch.

If they let you come back in between batters, I'd be ok with that. But not if you have to say there for the entire half inning.

[Gary Dunaier]

I've long held to the theory that if you want a perfect view of the game you stay home and watch it on the television... to me, going to the ballpark is all about the experience as a whole.

That having been said, I can understand how fans who have the misfortune of sitting in certain seats of a certain ballpark might be most appreciative of such a policy...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m124/coinboynyc/IMG_7816.jpg

(Especially when said seats go for $30-$48 apiece depending on opponent.)

[nymdan]

I've long held to the theory that if you want a perfect view of the game you stay home and watch it on the television... to me, going to the ballpark is all about the experience as a whole.

That having been said, I can understand how fans who have the misfortune of sitting in certain seats of a certain ballpark might be most appreciative of such a policy...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m124/coinboynyc/IMG_7816.jpg

(Especially when said seats go for $30-$48 apiece depending on opponent.)

Those fans can ask Keith for a tootsie pop. They have that going for them, at least.