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November 17, 2011 11-12 Offseason Paul Festa

The Mets Make Fan-Friendly Changes

Heading into their 50th anniversary season, the Mets have made a noticeable effort to become more fan-friendly.  They’ve announced several changes this offseason that show they are listening to their fans.

The Walls

Citi Field's new dimensions.

First, the Mets redesigned the outfield wall in Citi Field to make it fairer, particularly for David Wright and Jason Bay, who seemed spooked by the original dimensions of the new ballpark.  And conventional wisdom states that offense sells tickets.  The walls will also be colored Mets blue, a feature most fans have clamored for since Citi opened.

Banner Day

Returning by popular demand is Banner Day.  This was a distinctly Mets tradition that started in 1963 and ended in 1996.   Fans would parade around the field at Shea Stadium with signs ranging from words scrawled on a bed sheet with a marker to carefully-designed placards, all of which allowed fans to express their singular passion for their team.  Think of it as Twitter in poster form.  (As such, the 2012 edition of Banner Day could be quite interesting.)

Uniforms

The new jerseys.

To the delight of traditionalists, the Mets have introduced new uniforms for 2012 that are reminiscent of the original uniforms of the 60s and early 70s.  The black and blue cap has been eliminated, and the black jerseys will only be worn on occasion.  The black drop shadow has been removed from the ivory pinstripe, snow white, and road grey uniforms.  These three uniforms will be worn with the all-blue hat with orange “NY” logo.

50th Anniversary Patch

The 50th Anniversary patch will be worn on the uniform sleeves and on the back of the caps.  It’s a classy design that erases the memory of the tacky Citi Field inaugural season sleeve patch.

New Ticket Plans

The team has a new 15-game plan that, according to the press release, “provides fans the flexibility to pick the games they want.”  They will also offer four 20-game plans, two of which consist of weekend games and holidays.  Five-game plans start at $50.

Shannon over at Mets Police has a tremendous analysis of the new plans.  Sounds like the jury is still out on how affordable these plans will be.

*****

The Mets have done a lot of things wrong over the past few years, and have received justifiable criticism in return from the fans and media alike.  When it comes to celebrating their 50th anniversary, they’re doing it right, and should be praised.

Will it make up for a mediocre on-field product while the rebuild takes place?  No.  Will it make the experience at Citi Field more enjoyable?  Yes.

Mets fans are a loyal, passionate breed.  They’ve been through the wringer countless times and stuck by their team.  They deserve to be heard, and the Mets are finally listening.

 

Paul is a freelance writer, blogger, and broadcast technology professional residing in Denver. A New Jersey native, he is a long-suffering Mets fan, a recently-happy Giants fan, and bewildered Islanders fan. He's also a fair-weather Avalanche and Rockies supporter. In his spare time, he enjoys the three Gs: Golf, Guitars, and Games.
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  1. Joe November 17, 2011 at 7:53 am
    My first sentiment was that, well, the Mets will have talent on the field ala 1962, so it would make sense to look like them. But, yeah, it is a good thing to try to deal with a bad situation the best you can. Some of us think this would be to let Pelfrey go and lose a lot of games with someone the fan isn’t just plain sick of. Anyways.
  2. Joe November 17, 2011 at 8:03 am
    As to the dimensions, what about the pitchers?
    • MikeT November 17, 2011 at 10:43 am
      The pitchers will not be as lazy, remember?

      Seriously though the dimension do not suddenly make Citi Field a bandbox. There will be a few more HRs, but the defenders will have an easier time playing the outfield without the vast expanses and the nooks and crannies.

      • Joe November 17, 2011 at 11:19 am
        Last season, the Mets mediocre pitchers were helped by the dimensions. The Mets won’t really have much better pitching next year & will have a few bats that will be helped. The net result seems to me to be negative. As to some balls not falling in, it didn’t seem to me that the hurt too much, but if the fences coming in would help defenders, that would hurt Mets hitters too. So, net, I don’t see the big benefit to the team as a whole.
        • Joe Janish November 17, 2011 at 11:43 pm
          The net will come from the ticket receipts, regardless of who hits them, because chicks dig the long ball.

          At least, that’s the theory….

        • Joe November 18, 2011 at 10:07 am
          Sure, NYC is a diverse place, lots of fans of visiting teams.
  3. Steve S. November 17, 2011 at 9:06 am
    I do believe that Alderson IS listening to us, but unfortunately the Wilpons are still here. Sandy would like to keep Reyes, but it will be tough when he’s on a non-NYC budget.

    As for the 2012 edition of Banner Day, how about these?: “Fred, Jeff, and Saul for Batboys—on the Pirates!” or “DFA the Wilpons!” Of course, maybe no one will show up, if there’s a fan boycott going on….

  4. izzy November 17, 2011 at 9:41 am
    Fan friendly changes. Not one word about improving the product on the field. I guess these clowns think people will come to the park to see a new wall. The other fan friendly move not mentioned was the sale of the club to someone who wanted to win. the wilpons game now is to say they hung on. Winning is a forgotten thing. PS: Offense doesn’t sell tickets. Winning does. Don’t be.leive it wilpons and Alderson…ask the Giants….. sold out every day with a pitching staff good enough to win.
  5. Walnutz15 November 17, 2011 at 10:36 am
    My banner would be simple:

    “SELL” – in huge Blue letters.

    (You know who you are. . . . .) – in smaller Dark Orange

    • gary s. November 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm
      Walnutz, Do you need a volunteer to help you hold the sign?
      • Walnutz15 November 18, 2011 at 8:43 am
        Sure, Gary…..the more the angrier. *wink*
    • gary s. November 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm
      I also suggest they hold Banner Day very early in the year.If they wait till the summer and we are 10 games under .500 there are going to be people with nasty banners circling that place.In the words of Bart Scott “can’t wait”
      • Joe Janish November 17, 2011 at 11:46 pm
        In all seriousness, Gary, you make a great point.

        Though, it could be argued that the nasty banners could come out early in the year — if Jose Reyes signs elsewhere.

        Hmm … not sure there’s any way around it … fans are likely to be perturbed in 2012.

  6. Walnutz15 November 18, 2011 at 8:08 am
    …….if they even go.

    2011 was the first summer I didn’t attend a Met game since 1983.

  7. Mike B November 18, 2011 at 10:51 am
    My opinion as a Fan

    The Wall – Who Cares
    Banner Day – Who Cares
    New Uniforms – Who Cares
    Patch – Who Cares
    New Ticket Plans – HaHA good luck with your sales

    Putting a good product on the field – All I care about…..

    • Joe November 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm
      The wall affects the product on the field since batters and pitchers have different games depending on where the wall is placed. So, do you really not care at all about that?

      Watching a game is in part about having fun and if the team tries to do things to help the fans to have fun, again, is that something you don’t care anything about?

      Fans like to go to games. Even someone with not that much money might be able to afford $50 to go to five games over a span of six months. Fans go to even bad games (like when the Pirates come to town). Again, do you really think no one cares about things like that?

      Fans have a sense of history. That too matters.

      Obviously, good product matters. But, it isn’t the ONLY thing that matters.

      • Mike B November 20, 2011 at 6:32 pm
        Where do I begin Joe, Yes it is important that our field looks nice and our uniforms look nice and we have nice ticket plans for fans.

        These should not be our headlines, way too much is made about this wall, Teams get new uniforms every year its just a way to make more money for the team.

        All the mets are doing is distracting you from the fact that there letting a world class SS go without a fight. Blame injuries but thats not why the mets arent signing him.

        They arent signing him because they are going to stink next year and they dont want to pay anyone but this isnt about one year its about 5-6. Everyone says we are going to be so great in 2 or 3 years wouldnt you want a 30 year old all star ss leadoff hitter on our team or on the Marlins.

  8. gary s. November 18, 2011 at 3:29 pm
    Mike B., Well said.The mets have become a circus act,Fred and Jeff are the ringmasters.The animals (players) have to show up and perform.We don’t have to.