Last summer, frustrated with the high prices at Yankee Stadium, I decided to experiment with the Staten Island Yankees, a minor league farm club, and came away quite impressed. Ticket prices are quite reasonable, the free Staten Island ferry is convenient for the games, as the ball park is adjacent to the ferry terminal, and the small stadium guarantees you have good seats wherever you sit - no obstructed or partial views as in Yankee Stadium. While the concessions and live entertainment are strictly minor league, it is fun to watch the young players learning their trade, and the spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline can't be beat.
So this afternoon I went with my husband and a friend to see the SI Yankees battle the Lowell (Mass.) Spinners, and it was an epic battle. The Yanks were down by 3 runs, but came storming back in the middle innings to win it, 7-3. There were some fancy heroics in the field, as well as lots of hitting (the pitchers in minor league baseball can be the weakest link), and the usual sappy live entertainment from the event promoters and mascots during the pause between innings.
Afterwards, we went over to a fine Spanish restaurant in the neighborhood, Beso, which has become a favorite. Sunday games are at 4 pm, which makes for perfect timing to attend a game and follow up with dinner before catching a late ferry back to Manhattan. A wonderful outing, and much more affordable than attending the major league club...
