MLB Opening Days

It’s baseball time! Get a ticket and head on down to the ballpark. Buy a bag of peanuts, a hot dog, and a soda. Sit back and enjoy an opening day ball game.

As one of the most popular sports in New York, MLB Opening Days are always a happening time. From the days of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio to the modern New York ball clubs, this has always been a day where the city’s energy blossoms.

Spring events in New York abound, but none may be more exciting and anticipated than the beginning of the baseball season for the Yankees and Mets. It’s a day New York baseball fans live for. And if you are baseball fan visiting New York during this time, you should take the time to participate in and enjoy this fun day. Afterwards, you will understand why baseball has a special place in the hearts of the local people and in the history of New York.

When is it?

The opening day ball game happens, for all baseball franchises, in early April. The games are always sold-out and are quite expensive. If you want to attend the game, be sure to purchase your tickets more than a month in advance.

These games represent one of the biggest events in New York all year. It’s springtime. Baseball is back. And after a winter filled with Knicks basketball, Jets and Giants football, and Islanders and Rangers hockey, sports enthusiasts in the Big Apple have a summer filled with baseball to look forward to.

Opening Day for New York Yankees

The Yankees, who compete at Yankee Stadium on opening day, are the city’s most successful team in sports. Sometimes the team plays their first game of the year on the road, so the home opener can be held towards the middle of April some years.

These games are usually highly anticipated and typically pit the Yankees against a fellow American League East Division rival. Everything from who will pitch to how the weather in New York is going to be is paid attention to.

On this day, Yankees fans not only flock to the stadium, they flock to the various bars around the area. It’s virtually a holiday. Restaurants and sports bars across the city truly gear up for the games. And if the team goes home a winner, expect that energy to breathe life into the New York nightlife. After all, the Yankees, who have won 27 World Series titles, are undoubtedly the most respected sports franchise in the city.

Going to a Yankees Opener

While the ticket prices don’t change throughout a year, the opener sells out in a few hours. If you are unable to buy a ticket before the game is sold out, you will end up paying a lot more to buy one from individual sellers. Be sure to purchase tickets for the opening day well in advance.

A ticket for bleacher seats, which go fast and have an obstructed view, costs $12 to $15. Field level seats sell from $80 to $200. The MVP seats cost around $300, and are the best seats in the house after box seats.

Using public transportation in New York, it is easy to get to the game from your hotel. Using the New York subway, take the Number 4, B, or D train to the 161^st Street and Yankee Stadium stop in the Bronx. From Manhattan, it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Bus lines Bx1, Bx6, and Bx13 all make stops near the stadium. If you are taking a train into the city, take the Metro North Railroad Yankee Line. Because driving and parking in New York is not so convenient on opening days, it is advised to take public transit unless you absolutely need to drive.

Opening Day for the New York Mets

Just like their inner city rival, opening day for the Mets, who play in the National League’s East Division, create an air of excitement and joy in Queens and throughout New York City. While the team hasn’t had the success of the Yankees recently, many diehard fans look forward to the beginning of a new year and a fresh new chance to make a run at the World Series.

Much like other openers throughout baseball, the Mets usually compete in openers at Citi Field, the Mets Stadium, against inner division rivals. This adds to the intensity of the opener, as hated teams like the Atlanta Braves or Florida Marlins show up in town to try and beat the beloved Mets.

Expect the borough of Queens to be a bit loud, and if you hear a gunshot sound, don’t be alarmed. It’s just the fireworks. And either someone on the Mets has hit a homerun or the team has won the game. If you want to explore a piece of New York culture, check out a Mets or Yankees spring opener.

Going to a Mets Opener

The price of a New York trip can be a little high. The price of opening day tickets for the Mets are also a bit high, but money can be saved by buying tickets months in advance. Regardless, prices range from $12 to over $300 for one ticket.

Take the Long Island Railroad or the New Jersey transit if you want to go via train. The Q48 bus line takes you right to the ballpark. By subway, take the number 7 train and get off at the Mets/Willets Point Station stop. You can connect to the 7 train from other subway and bus lines if needed.

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