My Take

[sutomcat]

Posted this in another thread, but I thought the Yankees did an absolutely horrific job hosting. I thought it would be smart to head into the stadium 45-60 minutes early to avoid the crowds. Yeah, about that. Yankee Stadium was so woefully, incompetently understaffed that I missed the kickoff and first two series of the game. Four metal detectors at an entrance but only one open because there are two security guards working. Eventually, the barriers came crashing down and it was just a free-for-all with no semblance of crowd control anywhere.

Once inside, it wasn't any better. Concession stands were severely understaffed and lines were long for everything. My wife went to get a hot chocolate at the start of the third quarter and didn't return to our seats until the start of the 4th quarter, Completely unacceptable. The whole thing was a shameless money grab by Yankee Stadium and Notre Dame. Throw in the curb stomping on the field and it was totally miserable. Thank God for my friends and alcohol.

The line to get in took about 5 minutes for me. I assume it was because of the security. It wasn't great but not a big deal. But I was there about 2 hours before kickoff. There was only a trickle of fans coming in then. If they didn't step up staffing, I could see this becoming a disaster.

I had no problems getting food either. All the stands I saw on the ground level were open and the vast majority of the ones on the 200 level were open as well. There was no line at all when I was walking around. Again, I was really early. It was a far broader selection of food that was available than at the Dome and the quality was much better too. A chicken philly sub cost me $10.99 plus tax. Thought that was pretty reasonable for NYC. Again, I was there really early when less than 10% of the fans were in the house.

The audio system was awesome and the scoreboard in center field was terrific. Though it looked like whoever was controlling the replays on the scoreboard avoiding showing replays of controversial calls that went ND's way.

Very easy access to and from the stadium using the D line. I was fine with things but I understand people coming later would be mad.

All that said, if we get the Pinstripe Bowl this year, I probably won't go. NYC is a great place to visit but not so much in winter and not so much so soon after this visit.

I pray we end up in another bowl in a warmer location.

 

[Chip]

I had no problem getting in (went in 40 mins b4 kick) and had no more than a 5 minute wait for any beer or concessions.

Same here. We were in the bleachers and it was great. We left early from the bar to make sure we didn't miss kickoff. Turned out we had a lot of time to stand out by the beer vendor in a giant concourse and continue the tailgate at $11 a pop. It's also where I had the pleasure of running into Cuseregular, the artist formerly known as Fairfaxcuse, and about 17 people who had the same name as Cuseregular. It was like meeting the Foremans (the George Foremans).

The food lines were a little long, but I'm not at a game to be a picky eater. Papa John's line was short, so I just went with that. Never a wait for a beer, and as I mentioned that one bathroom was never full.

What a difference a giant replay board makes.

The complete renovation of Billy's was something to behold. Couldn't even remember what it looked like before, because it's so enormous now. My only complaint with them was they'd put the same game on 3 or 4 consecutive TVs, and we were stuck on the Mississippi State - Arkansas side.

 

[shandeezy7]

Well, I'm glad that you guys had good experiences. I certainly did not. Everything was a complete cluster.

 

[sutomcat]

Well, I'm glad that you guys had good experiences. I certainly did not. Everything was a complete cluster.

My experience was fine until the game started. After that, not so good. ND played very well. Props to them.

 

[manleyzoo]

Devito made two NFL throws his first two throws of the game. NaJ should never drop a ball like that. Happens, but a ball that touches both your hands should never squirt free. There’s a big 7 and early enough to change the dynamic of the game.

I was sitting in sec 235 down low and that first ball DeVito threw was damn near perfect, right in front of us. The ball should have been caught despite the obvious pass interference non-call. The second one was maybe better considering he threw it off his back foot. He's really going to be something special.

 

[OburgOrange]

Same here. We were in the bleachers and it was great. We left early from the bar to make sure we didn't miss kickoff. Turned out we had a lot of time to stand out by the beer vendor in a giant concourse and continue the tailgate at $11 a pop. It's also where I had the pleasure of running into Cuseregular, the artist formerly known as Fairfaxcuse, and about 17 people who had the same name as Cuseregular. It was like meeting the Foremans (the George Foremans).

The food lines were a little long, but I'm not at a game to be a picky eater. Papa John's line was short, so I just went with that. Never a wait for a beer, and as I mentioned that one bathroom was never full.

What a difference a giant replay board makes.

The complete renovation of Billy's was something to behold. Couldn't even remember what it looked like before, because it's so enormous now. My only complaint with them was they'd put the same game on 3 or 4 consecutive TVs, and we were stuck on the Mississippi State - Arkansas side.

The music in Billy’s was ear shattering. We left there early and glad I did. No problem getting into the stadium and no food or beer lines

 

[kuethstheman]

The music in Billy’s was ear shattering. We left there early and glad I did. No problem getting into the stadium and no food or beer lines

The music was oppressive!

 

[Orangello]

Getting in was a nightmare. From the front of the stadium (home base) they had these wacky zig zag security funnels that forced about a zillion people into a single metal detector. Really really bad. Took over 20 minutes.

Lines for the bars were nuts so we went in a deli and bought beer. Nothing compares to buying a six pack and drinking a single from a paper bag in front of Yankees Bar. Cops could care less. Met a ton of Cuse fans including 4 lifelong friends from Staten Island who I swear could have done double for the guys in Staten Island Hustle. One step from the gutter !

 

[OburgOrange]

Getting in was a nightmare. From the front of the stadium (home base) they had these wacky zig zag security funnels that forced about a zillion people into a single metal detector. Really really bad. Took over 20 minutes.

Lines for the bars were nuts so we went in a deli and bought beer. Nothing compares to buying a six pack and drinking a single from a paper bag in front of Yankees Bar. Cops could care less. Met a ton of Cuse fans including 4 lifelong friends from Staten Island who I swear could have done double for the guys in Staten Island Hustle. One step from the gutter !

Were you sitting with TexanMark as well?

 

[bnoro]

Getting in was a nightmare. From the front of the stadium (home base) they had these wacky zig zag security funnels that forced about a zillion people into a single metal detector. Really really bad. Took over 20 minutes.

Lines for the bars were nuts so we went in a deli and bought beer. Nothing compares to buying a six pack and drinking a single from a paper bag in front of Yankees Bar. Cops could care less. Met a ton of Cuse fans including 4 lifelong friends from Staten Island who I swear could have done double for the guys in Staten Island Hustle. One step from the gutter !

Have you been to Yankee Stadium before? It's always like that to get in.

 

[Newhouser]

Posted this in another thread, but I thought the Yankees did an absolutely horrific job hosting. I thought it would be smart to head into the stadium 45-60 minutes early to avoid the crowds. Yeah, about that. Yankee Stadium was so woefully, incompetently understaffed that I missed the kickoff and first two series of the game. Four metal detectors at an entrance but only one open because there are two security guards working. Eventually, the barriers came crashing down and it was just a free-for-all with no semblance of crowd control anywhere.

Once inside, it wasn't any better. Concession stands were severely understaffed and lines were long for everything. My wife went to get a hot chocolate at the start of the third quarter and didn't return to our seats until the start of the 4th quarter, Completely unacceptable. The whole thing was a shameless money grab by Yankee Stadium and Notre Dame. Throw in the curb stomping on the field and it was totally miserable. Thank God for my friends and alcohol.

I agree - I will never go back. Wanted to experience the event, off the list and not getting added back on.

 

[shandeezy7]

Have you been to Yankee Stadium before? It's always like that to get in.

I've been to plenty of Yankee games. Never had to wait longer than about 10 minutes to get in (even with lines of similar size). Damn near 60 minutes to get through the gate is totally unacceptable.

 

[bnoro]

I've been to plenty of Yankee games. Never had to wait longer than about 10 minutes to get in (even with lines of similar size). Damn near 60 minutes to get through the gate is totally unacceptable.

Went to 3 sox-yankees games this season. Took 25, 45, and 35 minutes to get through the gates for each one. It's a zoo.

 

[Orangello]

Have you been to Yankee Stadium before? It's always like that to get in.

Have been to several Yankees games but I don't ever recall security being this fubar.

 

[Orangello]

Were you sitting with TexanMark as well?

No, we were in the 300's. He and his son were in a different/lower section.

 

[kuethstheman]

Have been to several Yankees games but I don't ever recall security being this fubar.

When we went through about 45 minutes before the game, there were at least four detectors going. Don't know what happened after that.

 

[hungrychuck]

Guess I’m in the group that got in smoothly maybe 40 minutes before the game, no unusual delays.

Btw, any hassle that typically occurs at Yankee Stadium is being replicated at stadia and concert venues across the country.

It’s called living in 2018.