Atlantica - 01.06.2006, Side 53

52 AT L A N T I CA
NY YANKEESa
Icelandair flies seven times a week between Keflavík and New York City this summer.
teams than any competitor – the enormous New
York media market finances a player payroll to
match. Renowned Yankees now include Alex
Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Randy Johnson, Jason
Giambi and Hideki Matsui (a major star attracted
from Japan, and a move that threw open Japan’s
lucrative media market to the team).
Eventually, Yankee Stadium appears. Passengers
make their way along an L shaped, fenced-in
walkway, through a parking lot, across a street,
and then up and across a pedestrian overpass to
the stadium. Today, the team plays in a distinctly
New York atmosphere at the 57,545-seat stadium:
big, brash, proud, and expensive. People watch-
ing is almost as much fun as the game itself
– a young visitor saunters by wearing a 20 cm
medallion in the shape of Italy; actor Steven R.
Schirripa, who plays Bobby on “The Sopranos”
television series, walks by and waves to fans.
If you prefer to forego the boat (which arrives
just before game time), at least arrive an hour
early to watch batting practice, where players
hit many baseballs into the stands. A baseball
caught at the stadium is a free – but highly prized
– souvenir.
Fan Mary Bulsiewicz, a police lieutenant from
New Jersey at a recent game with her young son,
was asked what she’d like people unfamiliar with
Yankee Stadium and baseball to know about. She
said the crowds are very friendly, and though a
lot of things leap to mind when describing the
sensory chaos of the scene, Bulsiewicz sums it up
in a word: “Beautiful.” a
SIGN ME UP
Boat Ride Reservations are USD 18 for adults, USD 14
for kids younger than 12. See www.nywaterway.com.
Game tickets are USD 12 for bleachers (rowdy fans
join others in this section, which is far away from the
action and segregated from the rest of the stadium)
to USD 52; everything higher is sold out for 2006. Be
careful of scalpers: illicit ticket brokers wandering the
crowd asking for or offering tickets. There are also
tours of the stadium for USD 14 per adult, USD 7 per
child or senior. See www.newyork.yankees.mlb.com
If you don’t have your sea legs, take the subway to
161st St./Yankee Stadium or a bus to 161st St./Grand
Concourse. www.mta.nyc.ny.us. Don’t drive: parking is
limited, stressful, and can be pricey. But if you must,
see www.newyork.yankees.mlb.com.
Backpacks, large purses, bags, and coolers are not
allowed at the stadium. Just bring yourself: your visit
will be easier. See www.newyork.yankees.mlb.com
for more information. Food and drink are pricey at the
stadium. A cup of American beer cost about USD 9. A
hot dog costs USD 2.50. Have a meal before heading
to the area of the stadium. There are restaurants and
bars along River Avenue, the short, gritty strip facing
the east side of the stadium; these are crowded, loud,
and not for families.
SIGN ME UP, BUT I’M NOT IN NYC
There are 30 major league baseball
teams in 28 cities in the United
States and Canada, playing 162
games each from April through
September. These teams play in
old and new, large and small sta-
diums, each with its own flavor,
atmosphere, fans, and surroundings.
Check www.mlb.com for teams and
sites, including:
• Fenway Park, Boston – Built in
1912, the legendary stadium on
Yawkey Way is the home of the
Yankees’ archrival, the Boston Red
Sox.
• RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
– The Washington Nationals are
playing their second season in the
nation’s capital. They moved from
Montreal, Canada (where they were
called the Expos) and are making
new fans and new memories.
• Metrodome, Minneapolis – The
Minnesota Twins play at this down-
town stadium. Its air-supported
dome amplifies the high-decibel
sound of fans.
• AT&T Park, San Francisco – Fans
at the Giants’ cozy, six-year-old park
watch players hit baseballs into a
nearby cove of San Francisco Bay.
Kayakers and rowboat sailors wait
to retrieve the floating mementos.
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