How can you work at Yankee Stadium?

Visiting Yankees stadium for the first time?

• Hi there, It’s short notice, but I’m hoping that someone could help me out with a few answers to regarding my upcoming visit to New York. Even though I’m from Australia I’ve been a fan of the Yankees since I was a kid back in the mid 60’s, ever since I first sighted the Old Gary Cooper film ‘Pride of the Yankees’. Back in those days nobody but nobody followed American sports down under, and baseball games never showed up on TV with any regularity until the 80’s, and even then it was usually only the World series that got televised. One way or the other though I’ve always remained a fan of the team, mainly through the papers and magazines, until cable came along and made it much easier to watch games during the season. The advent of the internet also helped to keep up to date. I’ve been a fan now for 40 years, and my one big desire has always been to actually see the Yanks play on their hollowed turf in the Bronx. With the news that they were going to tear down the stadium after the 2008 season I thought my chance had finally gone of ever visiting the ‘house that Ruth built’. Well lo and behold my wife came to the rescue recently by presenting me with airline tickets to New York and a match day ticket for my 49th birthday, so I’m finally on my way! Can you believe it – this will not only be the first time I’ll actually get to see the Yankees play live – at their home stadium – it will actually be the very first MLB game I’ve ever attended. 40 years of being a long distance fan, and I’m finally going to be there! So there’s my history. Now I have some questions that need answering, and I’m hoping that someone can find the time to possibly help out. 1) How early does Yankee Stadium open on game day? I’m actually going to be in town for the Saturday game against the Royals, and would dearly like to find the time to see Monument Park before the game starts. It’s my understanding that it stays open to the public until 45 minutes before the game is due to start. Which way do I need to head once I’m in through the main entrance of the stadium to get to Monument Park? My ticket is in section M6, so I’m going to have to work up and right around the stadium to eventually get to my seat. 2) I’m going to be visiting Central Park during the morning on Saturday, and am aiming to get to the stadium from the Subway station on Lexington and 86th. Which platform do I need to go to, and is half an hour sufficient time to allow for the trip? 3) I’m leaving from La Guardia airport straight after the game. I’ve read a couple of different ways to get there from the stadium. One opinion states that the best way to get to the airport is to catch a train to Grand Central and then hop on the NY Airport Service bus to La Guardia. The other view states that the best way is to simply head a couple of stops away from the stadium to the subway station at Lexington/125th and take the M60 bus to the airport. Any views on the matter? 4) Given where I’m going to be sitting, is the net going to make it a pain to take photographs of the on field action? Like I said, I’ve never been to a game before, so I don’t know what to expect. 5) Some general tourist questions. I traveled through NY in 1981 when the city was probably at its worst safety wise – in winter by the way, which explains why I didn’t try and see the Yanks play back then. I know things have changed dramatically since then, but how much safer is it in reality? I’m planning on spending Friday morning at Battery Park, from where I’ll gradually work my way up Manhattan during the day to the Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s by 7 or 8 – the latter closes at 8.30. From there I plan on hopping on the subway and making my way over to my hotel in the Bronx – is the subway safe at that time of the evening? Any thoughts or answers to the questions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

• Answer:

  My friend, I'm glad there is always a Yankee fan outside of the USA. And as a native New Yorker and Yankee fan myself, I would glady help you the best I can. 1. You are right, Monument Park will remain open upto 45 minutes before the start of the game. My advice is get to the Stadium at least 2 to 3 hours early so you be able to get Monument Park before it close. The Stadium has plenty of ushers and secuirty guards on hand to help you out. Just show them you ticket and they'll kindly direction to the right section. 2. Half an hour is very suffient enough to get from 86th Street to Yankee Stadium. At 86th Street, when enter the subway on the uptown (northbound) side, make a complete "U" turn and take the stairway leading to the express platform, which is one level below the local platform. Just look for the directional sign that says "Uptown and the Bronx" and the numbers 4 and 5. When you get to the lower level express platform, take the northbound #4 line (Green Line) from 86th Street to Yankee Stadium. The train runs express, so it will make stops at the following stations after 86th Street. 125th Street 138th Street-Grand Concourse 149th Street-Grand Concourse 161st Street-Yankee Stadium As the train leaves 149th Street - Grand Concourse, you will notice the train exiting the tunnel and onto a bridge above the street, what we New Yorkers would call an "el". You will begin to see Yankee Statdium on left side of the train, that mean you about arrive at 161st Street-Yankee Stadium. 3. From Yankee Statdium to LaGuardia Airport. My advice, take the subway to Grand Central Terminal and then take the New York Airport Service bus from Grand Central directly to LaGuardia. The trip from Grand Central to LaGuardia should take about 15 to 30 minutes. 4. Being that you're going to be sitting behind home plate, the safety netting will not be that much of a pain. You'll still be able to see the game. 5. My friend, New York City is very safe, you will be very fine in Manhattan. Besides, the crime rate in New York City has been to the lowest level since 1963, thanks to the extraordinary effort of the NYPD and community leaders. The subway is also safe, you will be in good company when you're riding the subway at 8:30 at night or later, especially when the weather is warm. By the way, why stay in the Bronx? There are not many hotels in the borough, and the very few of here are small motor inns, cater to those traveling cross country. Since you're 3 to 4 days in the New York City, might as well stay in Manhattan. You will be a lot closer to a lot of the top tourist sites, except Yankee Stadium, than in the Bronx. Depending on your budget, may recommend the link below. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-191501980-new_york_city_hotels-i?fromiy=1 (Hotels in Manhatttan) I hope this information is very helpful. If you have any questions or need travel directions while in town, just drop me a line by clicking on the avatar and e-mail icon in the profile. Good luck and enjoy the game. Native New Yorker and Yankee fan (Go Yanks).