Back to normal...
Back to Normal…
So, with days to go before my second vaccination, I am tanned, ready, and rested and anxiously awaiting a return to even a bit of normalcy.
And for me, that involves going to ballgames. I did not go to a baseball game in 2020, and eagerly look forward to going in 2021. I mean, why not go to Yankee Stadium in April? Governor Cuomo capped capacity at 10% for the time being, so the COVID fears are greatly reduced in my eyes because a) I’ll be protected with the vaccine; b) the fans will be socially distanced; and c) the venue, of course, is outside.
Now that clubs are in their spring training sites, and nationwide COVID levels are down, I thought this would be a good time to check out the official Yankees website, and try to buy tickets for the first weekend game. I never like attending Opening Day as much as the games the rest of the Opening week. Maybe it’s just me.
I was in luck, because the website touts what is called “The Pinstripe Pass.” According to the website, “The Pinstripe Pass starts at $15 and includes a general admission ticket to the Stadium with your first drink included (a 12 oz. domestic beer or a soft drink). Pinstripe Pass tickets are valid for Stadium admission and access to non-designated standing room only locations throughout the Stadium or at any of the social gathering locations.”
Okay, I get it. The Yankees site goes on to say guests with Pinstripe Pass tickets may not occupy ticketed seats. But in a time when 90% of the ticketed seats are not allowed to be sold, wouldn’t it be kind of strange to keep kicking me out of aisles and seats in sections with no one (or hardly anyone) else to bother?
I have a long history of seat hopping. In my first job, with NBA Films (now NBA Entertainment) I was not paid much, but received a pass that allowed entry into any NBA game in the country. I would go to Knicks or Nets games, and sit in a seat until the real ticket holder came along. There would be games that I would sit up high; and down low very close to the action. In a blowout, when fans would leave early in the fourth quarter, I would sit in extremely pricey seats.
Who am I kidding? It wasn’t just at the beginning of my career that I valued the privilege of having a media pass.
So, my game plan is simple. Why pin yourself to a seat that may be undesirable due to a high occupancy rate (or filled with screaming fans unlikely to worry about COVID either for themselves, or passing it along to others)?
Besides, with the weather always a factor in early April; why pluck down on expensive seat(s)? Check out the return of fan-attended major league baseball games from a variety of locations in the Stadium; leave early if conditions warrant, and get out of Dodge while losing only the cost of a $15 per person Pinstripe Pass.
Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?
Except the Pinstripe Passes start at $15. When I clicked on Saturday, April 3, for a game against Toronto, it was $18 a piece plus fees. When I clicked “next”, the total was $50.90 for two Pinstripe Passes (literally, no tickets or seat locations). Of course, there is an add-on offer for Yankees Meal Deal No. 1 for an additional $20 (includes one hot dog, one order of french fries, and one drink) per Pinstripe Pass. And there is another Add-On option for parking ($45). (In a little bit of jest, I’m awaiting one more Add-On option to use restrooms upon entering the gates).
All of a sudden, it’s looking a lot closer to $100 than $15 for the experience of walking through the doors and checking out the Yankees in 2021. Putting money down in February is even more chancy, as COVID could play havoc with the schedule, or the game-time, or who knows what else.
There will be a rush to return to the old days of attending games. Let me throw it out there; do we need to sell tubs of popcorn, you know, those are meant to share with people? Do we need to have everyone stand and sing the National Anthem? Pretty sure they’ve stopped or will stop decadent buffet lines for the priciest of ticket holders; and more modest buffets for media in the Pressbox.
Oh by the way, will there be Yankee attendants not only checking seat locations, but vigilantly keeping everyone masked? What exactly is the recourse for paying fans that feel uncomfortable and/or intimidated by non-COVID compliant fans?
There will be efforts on teams welcoming back fans to maximize every last opportunity to make a dollar. I get that. And a great many people that work for teams have lost a lot of money the past year. If I go, no one has to remind me that it’s important to tip (generously) the person that helps me park my car; or shows me to my seat; or serves me in the ballpark bar.
The whole thing is going to look and feel different than it was. What PPE will be available; and what will be mandatory; and what guidelines will be ignored? You can space fans out all you want; in a sudden rainstorm, all fans are going to look for cover in what will become very crowded vestibules.
The truth is, I don’t know how things will look and I don’t know how I’ll feel going back to the big ballyard in the Bronx in April. My guess is that May will look and feel more normal than April; and September may look and feel more normal than spring.