Looks like they won’t be bringing everything over from the old stadium. According to the NY Post, the 9-year ban on beer sales in the Yankee Stadium bleachers will come to an end when the gates open on the new ballpark.
The bleachers at Yankee Stadium can be the most raucous place a sports fan will find in the US – and for the most part – especially during these last nine years – it has been a great place to go even if you aren’t a Yankee fan. I’ve sat out there with Mets gear on and taken some good natured abuse, but never felt threatened.
However, adding alcohol back into the mix could bring the sections back to how they were in the 80’s and 90’s, when even the mention of another team could cause a riot. Back in those days I witnessed many examples of people being verbally, and sometimes physically abused (hats ripped off people’s heads, beer poured on people, items thrown at people). My younger sister had a beer thrown at her during a game once.
I like beer (I was weaned on Guinness), but it has been shown time and time again that alcohol when abused is dangerous. Ultimately the issue isn’t really whether beer should or should not be served, but how much should be served, and will the Yankees have adequate and active security to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience for ALL fans.
I doubt it.
www.metspolice.com
