Ever since the inception of Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles in 1992, what I refer to as the “Stadium Revolution” has been taking place. We have the seen the replacement of historic ballparks (I.E. Veterans Stadium), as well as the building of some that have revolutionized sports as we know it. For the next few minutes, I am going to ”edutain” you about some of the notable ballparks opening in the New York Area.
Citi Field-Despite my personal disliking of the Mets, this field is can be summed up in one word: Amazing. I was recently able to take a tour of the site and Preview Center in Shea Stadium, and may I say I was very impressed. I’ll start with some notables, such as the Tiger-Stadium-Esque Right Field Porch. The Right Field Upper Deck actually overhangs the playing field, turning a potential deep fly ball into a home run. Alongside that, it has joined all HOK designs in the fact that ALL SEATS are angled towards Home Plate, which is unlike its ancestor Shea. Open-air concession stands as well as wide aisles make it fun and easy for all fans to enjoy the game no matter where they are. While Citi Field will see a 10,000+ Seat DECREASE from Shea, it will become one of the most fan friendly parks in the nation, offering over 60 Suites that each hold 16-39 people (thank you Citi Field Preview Center). If you have been to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, you can get a taste of Citi Field, except expect an even more fan-friendly place to enjoy a ballgame. The Jackie Robinson Retounda is sure to fill the minds of every baseball fans, as it reminds all of the late Ebbets Field. My Grade: A. Mets fans will be saying “Shea Who?” when they see this park.
New Yankee Stadium-What can I say about this park? When Yankee fans heard about the replacement of their team’s home for over 85 years, they were less than thrilled (myself included). However, upon seeing the stadium take shape, many have become excited for the new home and change in scenery. Let’s put it into perspective: It will only have 3,000 less seats than the current stadium, which is nothing compared in the drop from Shea to Citi Field. The stadium’s dimensions will remain the same as the current one, an attempt to maintain the current feel of the ballpark. Alongside, the seating dimensions have been changed. There will be 30,000 seats on field level, with 20,000 upper deck. This is the opposite of how it currently stands. A dining area called NYY Steak will occupy the Center Field “Black Spot”, with a Hard Rock Café in Right Field. A Great Hall will provide a spot for Yankee Fans alike to be educated about Yankees History. The outside of the stadium is also a replica of the Old Yankee Stadium as well. My Grade: A-. We can thank Hammerin’ Hank Steinbrenner for raising the ticket prices to record levels on this one.
New Meadowlands Stadium-With the arrival of Meadowlands Xanadu, a multi-million dollar entertainment center, this stadium should be a hit for anyone who comes. The field will be retractable, meaning it can literally be carted off in exchange for another surface. It will once again serve as the home of both the New York Giants and Jets, but will have an unrelated name to both. When complete, it will become the second largest NFL stadium in the nation behind the new Cowboys Stadium. There will be large amounts of Bowl-Seating, with 4 100+ Foot HD Jumbo Trons on the sides. The stadium will be able to convert from team to team in just hours, making it possible for the first time for both teams to have a home game during the same week if needed. There will not be any bad seating views, leaving all fans a fantastic and AFFORDABLE game experience. The field surface will be NexTurf, the most common type of artificial turf. My Grade: A-. Great opportunity for all, but they area around the field will be quite hectic, making parking near impossible.
The Winner: Citi Field. Mets fans will be very pleased with this one. All though you are losing the home of the ‘69 Miracle Mets and ‘86 Amazins’, this ballpark is sure to be home of more great moments to come. Excellent views, great prices, and the best fan experience in America is coming to Flushing, NY.
After spending the past season with the Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose Sharks, Brian Campbell will now be wearing a Blackhawks jersey alongside new Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet of the Washington Capitals; Campbell signed an eight-year $56.8 million contract with Chicago. In need of a goalie, since Kolzig already left their team for Tampa Bay, the Capitals signed Jose Theodore to a two-year $9 million contract.
quite an experience, as whenever I or one of them attempted at a "Let's Go Yankees!" or "A-Rod!" chant, it was met with "Yankees Suck!" and "Gay-Rod!" respectively. The Mets beat the Yankees 3-1, and although I was not personally thrilled, I must say I had a great time. 
It was not only the game itself that was a thrill, but it was getting a personal viewing of the Mets new stadium, Citi Field. You will see some pictures throughout the article I snapped of the stadium, as well as a few from the "Citi Field Preview Center", which is an area inside of Shea that allows you to view Citi Field, sit in the seats that will be used, and even try out a Luxary Box (Which may I add, I have never seen so much convenience at a ballpark). If you look closely, one of the pictures is a shot of Yankee Stadium and the New 
Yankee Stadium as I passed it on the highway, yet I apologize for the quality of some of the pictures (It was a camera phone). All 
in all, I had a great day enjoying some awesome New York Baseball. Wilson Betemit and Carlos Delgado both hit monster shots, and I even called into WFAN (The Biggest Sports Radio Station in New York) and talk about the stats I took on Darell Rasner. I hope you enjoy the pictures!
The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Mike Green to a four-year $21 million contract. The 22-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, Canada led the entire NHL in goals among all defenseman with 18; Green also tallied 38 assists to boot, which gave him 56 points, ranked 7th among all defenseman in the NHL.
The (4) Cleveland Gladiators emerged as the only team in the AFL to win a Wild Card Playoff game at home; the other three teams failed, making this year the first year in AFL history where three road teams won their Wild Card matchups. The Gladiators, led by QB Raymond Philyaw, edged out Shane Stafford's (5) Orlando Predators 69 to 66. A Predator fumble recovered by Cleveland's Brandon Hefflin with two minutes left in regulation led to the game-winning touchdown by Willis Marshall of the Gladiators. Philyaw completed 29 of 48 passes, of which eight ended up in the endzone in the hands of a fellow Gladiator, for 436 yards; only Rickey Foggie of the New Jersey Red Dogs threw for more yards in an AFL postseason game (446). Stafford, on the other hand, went 30-for-42, but for only 376 yards; he also threw for eight touchdown passes. The (4) Cleveland Gladiators play the (2) Georgia Force next Monday at 8 PM EST.
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