Posted on by Shannon Shark @metspolice

Mets Banner Day Rules and my comments

As expected the Mets have some “guidelines” for Banner Day.  Surely this is quite reasonable as nobody wants to see a “Refinance Your Home for 3.7% Here’s How!” banner nor is it the time to express hostility toward the owners.

So let’s take a look at some of the “guidelines.”

  • Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.  Space is limited.
This actually might work in my favor.  Deep down I know you won’t sell out Banner Day for me, but if we can reach capacity for the parade, then that’s a good thing.  10am is a little early and will annoy Mrs. Mets Police.  Oh well.
  • Banners must celebrate the Mets 50th Anniversary, expressing fans’ favorite memories or moments in franchise history
I am struggling with this one.  I can’t argue with the premise, but at a personal level it forces me to change what was going to be a two word banner into 7 or 8 words depending on how I work the system.
I’ve heard from a few people who made a crinkly face about this one (the same face I made.)   Is “David Wright for MVP!” celebrating history?  Is “Mets 2012 World Champions!  Beat Those Fish!” celebrating history?
My advice to the Mets is you put the guideline out there but for the love of God put someone with a brain out there on 126th street and don’t send some kid home if he shows up with an “I Like Ike” Banner.
A few have also worried that if Banners have to be about the 50th does this imply a “one and done” Banner Day?  I fear that implication is true.
  • Banners must be at least 22” by 28” in size
Drat, now I have to do math.
  • Commercially produced banners are permitted, but banners may not contain commercial messages, web sites or Twitter handles
I’m not sure this makes sense in the 21st Century, especially the twitter handles.  That’s how a lot of fans know each other.
Breaking it down – no commercial messages.  I get it.  You don’t want someone selling mortgages during the parade.  I suspect this is also about certain t-shirt salesmen but that’s just a personal guess.
Websites?  Again “Fivedollarcarwash.com” doesn’t seem appropriate but what’s the harm in “readtheapple.com”  I wasn’t going to mention my website on my banner so I don’t really care.
As for twitter handles – I think this one is being too stringent.  So what if someone’s banner says “@section518” at the bottom.  Again I wasn’t going to plug my twitter handle so I don’t care.
The rule is also silly.  What if my banner says “My Favorite METS moment.  The POLICE line the field on 10-27-86!”  It won’t but I’m also tempted to hand that to my six year old to see what the Mets do.
  • The Mets reserve the right to deny access to the field to any banner or person that is deemed inappropriate

I have absolutely no problem with this rule.  Again put SOMEONE SMART out there not a robotron without a brain who is going to create a scene.

Also, we all know the mainstream media is going to write a story about the guy who is outraged that he couldn’t bring in his “WILPONS SUCK” banner.  We all know the rules going in, so (a) don’t bring the banner and (b) don’t write about that guy in your newspaper.

As for Banner Day – I really really really really need you guys to back me up on this and get the place reasonably filled.  This is a celebration.  This really is the victory parade for fighting for the soul of the franchise from how they dress to what our traditions are.

Don’t let ownership and management be able to say “nobody cared” and take this away from us again.  Even if you don’t care please make a half-ass banner and walk around.

I worry about this being a one-off.  The way we prevent that is to make it a good positive day for all involved including management.  Come out in full force and have a good time.  Encourage them to do it again.  I’m not sure I have it in me to fight with Jeff Wilpon’s kids for another 25 years.  I’m looking forward to the Mets winning the 2012 World Series while dressed nicely so I can pack up my blog and stop doing this.  I’d hate to have to stretch it out until June 2013 on a Banner Day quest.

The complete Banner Day press release with all the rules (I mean guildelines) is after the jump.

DWIGHT GOODEN, RUSTY STAUB, HOWIE ROSE AND EVAN ROBERTS

NAMED JUDGES FOR BANNER DAY ON SUNDAY, MAY 27 AT CITI FIELD

 

Banner Day Participants to Check In at Bullpen Plaza,

Registration Begins at 10:00 a.m., Space is Limited

 

Tickets for Banner Day Are on Sale Now at Mets.com and (718) 507-TIXX

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., May 13, 2012 – The New York Mets today named Mets Hall of Famers Dwight Gooden and Rusty Staub, and Sports Radio 66 WFAN radio personalities Howie Rose and Evan Roberts as judges for Banner Day on Sunday, May 27 prior to the 1:10 p.m. Mets-Padres game at Citi Field.

 

The judges will select three finalists and then fans texting at the ballpark and at home through Twitter and Facebook will decide the winning banner.  The grand prize will be a trip for two to 2013 Mets Spring Training in Port St. Lucie.

 

The Mets also announced guidelines for the return of Banner Day, a Mets tradition from 1963 to 1996 when fans of all ages paraded around the field with homemade banners that professed their love for the team.

 

  • Banner Day participants must have tickets to the game
  • Participants must check in at the Bullpen Plaza on 126th Street at 37th Avenue
  • Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.  Space is limited.
  • Banners must celebrate the Mets 50th Anniversary, expressing fans’ favorite memories or moments in franchise history
  • Banners must be at least 22” by 28” in size
  • Banners may not contain vulgar or abusive language
  • Commercially produced banners are permitted, but banners may not contain commercial messages, web sites or Twitter handles
  • Only the fans required to carry each banner will be permitted onto the field, up to a maximum of four.
  • The Mets reserve the right to deny access to the field to any banner or person that is deemed inappropriate

 

The revival of Banner Day is part of the Mets season-long 50th anniversary celebration that includes a commemorative logo and redesigned uniforms, the launch of the Mets50.com and the Mets 50th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead Series.

 

Tickets for Banner Day are on sale now online at Mets.com and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX.

 

10 Replies to “Mets Banner Day Rules and my comments”

  1. Do you think a banner celebrating the greatest SS in Mets history – in the context of the 50th anniversary – with no negativity at all will be allowed?

  2. fortunately, I don’t have to change any of my banner design to meet the guideline of celebrating the 50th anniversary. but i don’t like the idea that it’s limited to that because, as you mentioned, it could mean one-and-done for Banner Day. and i did take a yard stick to measure the board which I am using for my banner. i have room to cut and still be well over the minimum size.

    i don’t like that the Mets waited until 2 weeks before to announce these things because I’ve been hard at work for 3 weeks and spent many months designing my banner (without guidelines) and there was always the chance that now i would have to change what i’m doing on relatively short notice.

  3. They made a big mistake by limiting the banners to celebrate the franchise anniversary.  Big mistake.  Will probably cause lots of problems the day-of.  Why.  Why.  Why.  Sigh.

  4. As far as the 50th anniversary acknowledgement – one could write, as an example, “Happy 50th, Lets Go Mets”, “1962-2012” yada yada… and add or draw more of what one wants, such as “I like Ike.” How could someone at the gate deny a banner with at least an acknowledgment? 

    1. Also, me and my brother will be going. Debating about a banner, but we’ll be there, at least spending money and cheering. 

  5. I’m not crazy about the 50th anniversary rule. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with it on paper… but it could lead to people getting turned away for making a simple “Let’s Go Mets” banner if it’s poorly implemented. 

    I also strongly suspect that the next Banner Day won’t come around for another 25 years… if it happens at all.

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