Growing up, my household was mainly a football family. My mom is a New York Giants fan and my dad is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. While it is totally possible for children to find an interest in sports teams that aren’t their parents’ favorites (for example, my younger sister is a Kansas City Chiefs fan), I feel like most children inherit their parents’ favorite sports teams, like how I became a Giants fan because of my mom. Another sports team that I inherited a love for during the springtime, when football season was over, was the New York Yankees. It wasn’t until recently that I got to attend my first New York Yankees game, and now, they’re my favorite event to go to.
I feel like there is a lot of controversy over baseball games being “boring,” and while for some people, it may not be fun to watch them on television, being in the stadium is a totally different experience. Something that I figured out since going to games is that tickets are pretty cheap! I was shocked too, but for a seat in the 400s section, I usually don’t pay more than $20. With that being said, here are some of my other favorite things about going to Yankees games:
- The Players
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Definitely one of the best parts about having a favorite team and going to one of their games is developing a favorite player along the way. My favorite player is rookie Shortstop, Anthony Volpe. While being 21 years old and a fellow New Jerseyian plays a huge part in my new obsession with him, he’s been playing a very good game for his first year in the Major League. In fact, Volpe hit a two-run home run, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead against the Toronto Blue Jays during the game on Saturday, April 23. While I, unfortunately, wasn’t at this game, it is still fun to have a favorite player to get extra loud for when it’s their turn up at bat or when they do something great like this play.
- Between Innings
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As I mentioned earlier, being in a baseball stadium is totally different than watching baseball on television, and that’s because, between innings, they have different moments to get the crowd hyped up. My personal favorite is when they play “YMCA.” Every time they play this song, my friends and I get up and dance our hearts out, and so do the grounds crew as they’re cleaning up the infield. My other favorite moment is when they do the “The Great Subway Race,” This is a game they show on the jumbotron where the 4 train, the B train, and the D train race each other. I am always extra excited when the 4 train wins (Lower Manhattan represent!). Lastly, just trying to get on the jumbotron by doing the most insane dance moves makes games so much fun.
- The Food
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Now, this is one that my bank account isn’t too happy about, but it had to be mentioned. I always need a little snack during a baseball game, and my go-to is usually a hot dog. There is just something so good about an overpriced stadium hot dog with an overpriced soda (because obviously, I need to get a souvenir cup) that just completes the overall experience. Of course, if you want the real baseball game experience, you’ve got to get yourself some peanuts and Cracker Jacks!
With all of my personal reasons why I love Yankees games aside, win or lose, Yankees games are a fun experience. I’ve been a casual Yankees fan my whole life, and going to games has definitely increased my love for the “Bronx Bombers.” While unfortunately, I won’t get as many opportunities to attend Yankees games during summer vacation when I’m home and not in New York, I am going to enjoy the games I have left, and I’m definitely looking forward to attending more when I come back to school for the fall semester!