Ballperks

Why do we always tear down our perfectly good stadiums to build even better stadiums? Sure it's nice to have a nice new clean venue and fill it with expensive high-tech tech. And I know attracting talented players is an issue, but what about the most important factor in the game—heart?

Big screen TVs and coffee tables at a stadium are nice but that's not the "Lounge that Ruth built." The memories of a roaring crowd and come-from-behind wins and no-hitters and perfect summer days are torn down and replaced with more expensive tickets. My buddy is at a Met's game right now. The 2 seats he has cost him $140. Seats that last year probably went for $45 each. If I am going to spend $140 on tickets, I'd prefer to see a tragedy on Broadway. At least there I am expecting to cry—not from a miserably disappointing game.

I've heard people say when you are there, Citi field could be any teams stadium. There is nothing about the place that says Mets, including an actual logo. I've heard the crowd is quiter. People are spending more time watching the 120" HD TVs than they are sitting in their seats. The same fans that were excited to be getting a new house are finding themselves missing the spirit their home once had.

When I think of a stadium like Fenway, I think there is no way the fans would let them tear down that stadium. It would have to be collapsing in on itself from old age before that would be considered. But that's also how I felt about Yankees Stadium. I personally didn't like the place—felt like a converted prison—but the fans did, and they just let them knock it down for promises of luxury perks. I think there are a lot of people who are soon going to realize what a tragedy this is.