Kudos to the Phillies

[blukeys]

I swore in the 80's that I would never attend another Phillies game as long as I lived. My last baseball experience at the Vet was a disaster. I brought my son to a Friday Business Person's game against the Pirates and thought I would have a great day. I had great seats and had my ex wife write a note so that my son could play hookey from school with me.

Unfortunately, the day consisted of witnessing boorish and obnoxious behavior by Philly "fans". The entire game I had to listen to drunken jerks curse and attempt to pick fights with one another. During this whole time I was trying to think how I was going to explain to my son that this was not the way people were supposed to act in public. (For God's sake it was a DAY GAME!!!!!!)

I was already thoroughly disgusted after the game with the whole experience when a drunken idiot tossed a 20 lb of ice off of the concourse above us and landing less than 10 feet from my son. I was totally disgusted and swore that I would go to Boston (where my brother lives) and Baltimore before ever attending a Phillies game in person. I had excellent experiences in Boston, Baltimore, Wilmington De., and Salisbury Md. in the intervening years.


This year I broke my vow due to my sister as she had helped arrange a birthday party for her husband at Citizen's Bank Park. We all know how family obligations are. Well, I went expecting the worst and I was Instead totally amazed by the change in Philly. There was no cursing or obscenties. There was no drunken fools trying to pick a fight with their neighbors. THERE WERE a lot of kids and families. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

THERE WERE a lot promotions emphasizing kids and families.

THERE WAS a lot of between inning entertainment that could keep the casual fan entertained. I didn't need it but I was sitting next to couple from Norway who didn't know baseball but got a kick out of the Philly Phanatic.

Many of the ideas were stolen from Minor League clubs and some would find it hokey but it works in terms of bringing good folks to the park.

Last but certainly not least. The main scoreboard and the secondary scoreboards constantly flashed the number to call (security) to report obscene or abusive language. (Or you could report it to an usher although in the cell phone age most will call) They reported that this type of ABUSIVE language could result in fines, JAIL TIME, and expulsion from the park.

It is amazing what a serious effort to curtail obnoxious behavior can accomplish. I would recommend Citizen Bank Park to anyone for a fun experience. This is something I would NEVER do since the 80's in Philadelphia.

I also highly recommend any of the bars open at the park after the game. (The bars are right in the park!!!!!)

For you young guys McFadden's has the most bodacious bartenders you will find anywhere. The girls there are beyond hot and so therefore beyond me!!!!!!:nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: However I highly recommend the place as it was booming after the game and I am sure that is the case after every game!!!!

I hope that an equal effort can be applied to those Eagle Hanger Ons who give that team a bad name. Obnoxious behavour should not be worn as a badge of courage. It should be dealt with and thrown out with the trash that it is. :nod: :nod: :nod:

[HiHiYikas]

I was at the last game the Phillies won at the Vet, saw John Smoltz blow the save and the Phils won in extras. On one hand, the Phillies won an exciting game (good news), on the other, the Braves choked (very very very good news).

I've seen plenty of jerks at Camden yards. I've made friends in Fenway Park with my Yankees hat on. That makes it hard to be sure about anything, except perhaps that Shea sucks.

My personal experience at the Vet wasn't too bad; I could see why that atmosphere and that team bred so much hostile negativity among fans, though. I've alway thought of the Phillies as baseball's real "cursed" team. All that history, one title. No Phillies "nation," nobody much cares, period.

The Cubs and Red Sox took their "curses" all the way to the bank, becoming some of the most lucrative and popular teams in baseball. The Red Sox marketed their curse so effectively, they became "Evil Empire, Jr.," turning an astronomical payroll into a World Series sweep and then upgrading with high-profile free agent signings in subsequent seasons.

Anyway, I also made it out to the first game at Citizens Bank Park, and it's a wonderful venue. Sorta like all the other neo-nostalgic parks and with maroon iron instead of green iron. Reminded me of a Turner field without all the unneccesary sideshow stuff. Worlds better than the Vet.

[foghorn]

When the kids were little, the wife and I used to take them to the Phillies at the Vet about 4 times a year. What I learned was that you must keep away from the 'bargain' seats in order to keep away from the creeps whose only reason to go was to get drunk ( I actually saw a keg smuggled in) and yell vulgarities. The 'family' :eyebrow: upper level seats were 50 cents/kid and $2/adult. After awhile I figured the abuse just wasn't worth it, so instead, we went once a year and purchased box seats. I guess you get what you pay for.
The only way I go to an Eagle's game is if I get free skybox seats. Any other seat is like going to the zoo. The whole stadium is full of drunks with an 'in your face' attitude. Maybe I've become too sedate in my 'mature' years.
I've been quite snookered myself at some UD football games but never have I encountered general obnoxious behavior by the fans; instead, the fans become spirited and loud. Very little vulgarity as witnessed at Iggle games. Give me the college atmosphere any day.:hurray:

[ngineer]

Attending a ball game at "The BAnk" is a real pleasure. I agree, I never took my kids to an "Iggles" game at the Vet because of the behavior. Baseball was different, as we had seats in a 'good section'. HOwever, all the stuff for the kids, now, at the new park really makes for a family occasion. I went the other night, after attending the lacrosse semis and had a nice relaxing evening with my son. Phils blew thegame, but it was stil an enjoyable evening.

[LeopardFan04]

I was at the game Sunday as well. It was a great time, fourth time I've gotten there so far this year, which is alot for me, but going to the new park makes for a great experience...although I think it was a bit warmer than the 80 degrees listed in the box score...I think part of me is still stuck to my seat...

[blukeys]

When the kids were little, the wife and I used to take them to the Phillies at the Vet about 4 times a year. What I learned was that you must keep away from the 'bargain' seats in order to keep away from the creeps whose only reason to go was to get drunk ( I actually saw a keg smuggled in) and yell vulgarities. The 'family' :eyebrow: upper level seats were 50 cents/kid and $2/adult. After awhile I figured the abuse just wasn't worth it, so instead, we went once a year and purchased box seats. I guess you get what you pay for.



My last negative Phillies experience came at the 100 level behind first base and they were excellent seats. This was at a Friday Business person special, which I have learned from more experienced Philly baseball people, was a time when certain Philly fans decided that drinking began at noon on Friday. This is what I saw. I had seen other bad experiences throughout the 70's. But that day some years ago was the worst.

[Marcus Garvey]

I never experienced anything like that at Phillies games at the Vet (I've yet to attend a game at Cit Bank, and was last at the Vet in 2000). Granted, Philly sporting events always seem to have more than their fair share of a-holes in attendance.

Don't let anybody impress you with a story about wearing a Yankees cap at Fenway! Big freakin' deal. There are no men in Boston, so nobody will do much to you. I've seen Rangers fans at Bruins games run rough-shod over entire sections at the Fleet Center (or whatever it's called). Except for the bleachers, the worst that'll happen to a Yankee fan at Fenway is some drunk will call him a "peckah-head!"