OK, it's not just for Mets and Metettes, but for anybody who knows Shea Stadium and baseball better than me.

Which will be everybody out there. Well, maybe not my mum...but OK.

However, I digress. After a few visits to NYC and having done the Empire State Building and Jimmy Choo circuit several times, Mrs MacSporran is finally allowing me to indulge my real passion....i.e. sport and beer (I can be shallow like that).

So, we're in the Big Apple the last week August. I checked out the sporting schedule...it's baseball, baseball and more baseball. Yes !!! Hold on...I'm a football man (soccer to you new world people out there). Isn't baseball the game with the stick that used to get 15 minutes coverage on Scottish TV at 2 o' clock on a Sunday morning ??

Yes it is. But hey, it's sport. Do they sell beer ??

Yes they do.

Great, I'll be there !!!

A quick check of the schedule sees the Yankees at home to the Red Sox...Celtic v Rangers apparently to those who know their sporting tribalism. Right up my street.

But hold on....there are no tickets to be had (of course)unless I'm prepared to shell out the price of a medium sized diamond to somebody who may or may not be a bit on the shady side.

The suggestion is put to the better half, who instantly vetos it in a impressive Russia/China UN type fashion.

Hey, who cares ? It's the Yankees....the Man United of the States. Big bucks, big corporation...who wants to see that ?
I'm Scottish...support the underdog !!!

A search of the WWW shows that the Mets are at home to the Astros that week. Excellent.
Tickets can be purchased directly from them...also excellent.

They sell beer. Even excellenter...I'll be there !

Bare with me, I'm getting there.

So my question(s) to all you Mets fans out there (or anybody who loves baseball) are....I know I can get to Flushing with the number 7 subway line. How long before kick-off/throw up/first pitch would you advise a baseball virgin to be there ?

On the other hand, if we decide to head up early to Flushing and have a wander, can anybody advise a good restaurant in the area (Chinese or Korean of course).

Stupid question alert : How long does a ball game last ?

And lastly, and most importantly...am I likely to find a friendly Mets fan sitting next to me who will take the time to explain to some dumb*ss Scotsman the intricaties of the fine game of baseball ?

Many thanks in advance for the advice, and fell rest assured that I'll toast you all with a plastic glass of your fine overpriced American lager in Shea Stadium in August...

Disclaimer : I don't mean to insult any Mets fans out there by calling them 'underdogs'.
Please take my questions in the spirit they're intended, and rest assured I'll be cheering the Mets on against the Astros

Actually the Mets have been on a winning steak - although there is no knowing how long it will last.

As for the Yankees/Red Sox - that is the biggest rivalry in American sports, the tickets sold out the day they went on sale and the fact that this is the last year of Yankee Stadium (the house that Ruth built) is making everyone want to go. The prices yuo see for tickets are corret and those sellers are legitimate. And prices will only continue to rise.

So - if you prefer to see the Mets that's fine. If you get ot the park when it open - about 2 hours before the game - yuo will probably be able to see batting practice and perhaps also some field drills as well. This will also give you time to get something to eat, find your seats, buy a programa and find a friendly soul who will be able to tell you something about the game.

If you really wnt to learn something start rezding the game reorts on the mets web site in advance - and then you'll have an idea of who some of the players are, how they're doing and if the team is miserable or elated.

NY Traveler,

Thanks for your quick reply, and the advice.

Yeap, as a sports fanatic I know about the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox, and I know that this is the last season at Yankee Stadium....of course, it's the last season at Shea as well.

As great as it would be to take in the Yanks-Red Sox game, we're a family of 4 and the budget (and the wife) just won't stretch to severly marked-up tickets.

As well as that, I'm not a great believer in paying touts/scalpers anything for football(soccer) tickets...we just wanted to take in the experience of a ball game and it's easier and less expensive to take in a Mets game at that time.

As you said, I'm keeping an eye on the Mets results and trying to broaden my knowledge before August.

Thanks again for your reply....keep them coming folks !

Plan on around 3 hours for the length of the game - could be longer or shorter by some amounts.

You may considering picking up a sandwich and some snacks to bring along. Shea does allow you to bring in food (I don't think Yankee stadium does). The food at shea is pretty bad, and like most stadiums, overpriced.

Mets fans are very devoted and loyal (they have to be given the ups and downs of this team). I am sure your stadium neighbor will be more than happy to answer any questions.

My son goes to games whenever he can. If it's not a 'hot' series, he usually buys his tickets at the stadium. He gets the cheapest seats and then moves down as much as he can during the game. Most of the really good seats are taken by season ticket holders.

During batting practice you can get much closer to the field (you don't need to be in your assigned seat). The home team is on the 1st base side.

I haven't checked the schedule but in late AUgust it's also the US Open (tennis) which is across from Shea. During the early qualifying rounds admission is free and you can wonder around the sight and check out the matches. Sometimes you can catch a top seed practicing. The atmosphere at the tennis center is very pleasant and relaxing.

Do not use the Celtic V Rangers analogy in NYC. The Celtics are a champion basketball team from Boston and the NY Rangers are beloved hockey team in NYC. No one will buy you a beer, but they will feel sorry for you.

I have been a Met fan since 1962, the first year. You might sit next to a fan who knows the nuances of the game or you might sit next to a Met fan who thinks he knows he knows the nuances of the game. In any event what is the difference if you are going back home, you will know more than your neighbor anyway.

*I know I can get to Flushing with the number 7 subway line.*
The trip from midtown Manhattan on the 7 to Shea will take about 40 minutes.

*How long before kick-off/throw up/first pitch would you advise a baseball virgin to be there ?*
I'm not sure that batting practice will mean that much to someone who doesn't know baseball. However, if I already had my tickets in hand, I'd want to arrive at the Shea subway stop at least 20 minutes before game time. It takes at least 5 minutes to walk from the station to Shea, and then it takes some time to find your gate and work your way through the stadium to your seat. If you would still have to get your tickets, I'd allow twice as much time. All might go quickly, or it might not.

I wouldn't arrive early to partake of the food choices at the stadium. You'd be limited to expensive, mediocre food at the stadium and there is nothing else nearby.

*On the other hand, if we decide to head up early to Flushing and have a wander, can anybody advise a good restaurant in the area (Chinese or Korean of course).*
This is an excellent idea, though I can't offer any suggestions. Flushing Main Street is just one stop beyond Shea and there's lots of choices right by the station.

*Am I likely to find a friendly Mets fan sitting next to me who will take the time to explain . . . the fine game of baseball ?*
In my experience, yes, but it might help if you read the rules of the game beforehand. Reading the basics about at-bats (balls, strikes, outs), innings, and such even without understanding them until you have a real game experience might add to your enjoyment of the game.

*Disclaimer : I don't mean to insult any Mets fans out there by calling them 'underdogs'. *
Don't worry about it. The Mets have been underdogs more often than not.

I just went to a Red Sox - Yankee game the first week in July and got the ticket from www.stubhub.com, you might try there to see if any tickets are available while you are here. You also might want to try and get a ticket for a tour of the stadium.

Have a GREAT time while you are here.

Again, many thanks to all for their helpful replies. :verygrateful:

To Aduchamp...don't worry. I used the Celtic - Rangers analogy merely to highlight sporting rivalry....I'm not likely to sit in Shea and spout rubbish about an imaginary game between basketball and hockey sides.

Unless I've had a couple too many beers, of course. ;-)

Mac, just wanted to commiserate, since we're trying to do the same thing on "your side" -- get tickets for 5 people for an Arsenal game v. Newcastle. Needless to say, it's not an easy task!

Mac-

I'm a huge Mets fan, and I tend to agree with the previous poster about Batting Practice (as fondly known in the states as "BP").

My brother and I have a mini-plan for season tickets at Shea, and we went to batting practice two weekends ago (Saturday game)- the game started at 3:55, but we got there at 1:30 to get in to see the action (I think BP started at 2).

We were able to sit in the 1st row literally on top of the Mets' dugout (we had to move after BP to our regular seats in the Mezzanine), and watch BP before the game. But it was REALLY. REALLY. hot--we were hoping for some autographs (I'm a 29 year old woman, but a little girl at heart , but none of the players was really signing anything.

Having said that, I loved the whole thing -- getting to see the athletes up close, watching them joke around on the field.....but for someone who doesn't necessarily know the players, etc., it may not be that exciting. And in August, it will be pretty hot in the afternoon!

As previously stated, Mets fans will be happy to talk to you about the team, the game, and anything else. We're a really friendly bunch, and while there are drunken idiots in the stands as you probably will find at every other baseball field in America, they are far outnumbered by really nice people just there to enjoy a great day of baseball.

As a side note - I'm glad you are not coming to a "subway series" game (Mets vs. Yankees). I went to one of those games a few weeks ago at Shea, and it was the most miserable baseball experience I've ever had.

I had 5 Yankees fans behind me screaming epithets and names at the Mets players-it was just plain obnoxious, not in good taste, and I was appalled that people could be so thoughtless, given the number of children in the stands. This is not to say that Mets fans don't do the same thing at Yankees stadium, or Mets fans weren't doing the same thing elsewhere in the stadium that day, but it was just not a good time - that rivalry doesn't always bring out the best in people's sportsmanship/behavior. (Like many other rivalries, of course!)

Having said that, that's the ONLY time in my 20+ years of going to Mets games that I had ever NOT enjoyed a baseball game.

You will have SO MUCH FUN. Enjoy it!!!! If I am at that game, I promise to answer any questions you may have if you sit in our section

Let's go Mets! Enjoy the game!!

I believe you can pick up the 7 train at Grand Central Station

Having grown up in Astoria, Queens & being a Mets fan since 1964, I feel qualified to give you some pointers on your trip to see our American pastime. I spent many an afternoon & evening at Shea(my American football team the Jets also used to play there) & I will be making my pilgrimage/last visit on August 21 w/the 3 kids(this is the last season Shea will be open)-enough w/the preliminaries:

1)spend all you can afford for the tickets but do not sit too close to the field-from a higher position(but not upper deck) you can get a better sense of the players in the field;

2)see if the hotel you are staying at can help w/the ticket purchase-I am not saying you will get ripped off(cheated) but the ticket services online charge all sorts of "fees" which are pure theft;

3)take the #7 train from Manhattan-it will deliver you about 150 yards from the stadium-do not drive or take a taxi;

4)get there about 1 or 1 1/2 hours before the game to see batting & fielding practice & get the feel for the place;

5)drink & eat before you go or plan on dinner after the game(see below)-the food is OK-you will have to have at least 1 hotdog-but expensive & the cost of beer is prohibitive-it sounds like you are like me & could sit down & have a beer or 12 during the game but unless you hit the football pool before you get here, plan on doing most of the drinking before or after the game;

6)the fans around you will certainly explain the game & answer questions-it may not be everyone around you but you are surrounded by people & at least 1 group will be friendly enough to impart some wisdom;

7)as to eating before/after the game-you are lucky in that the best bacon cheeseburger in New York City (& one of the best bars) is located 3 short safe streets from the 61st Street train stop on the #7 train-it is called Donovan's of Woodside & is located on Roosevelt Avenue(under the train el) & 58th Street-simply get off the #7 either going to or coming from the game, ask to be pointed to 58th Street or Donovan's & in 5 minutes walk you will be in heaven(yes, I have on occasion had a beer or 12 or more there & I have eaten the burgers since I was 15)-yearly competitions always rate their bacon cheeseburger the best or one of the best in NYC & the place is NOT EXPENSIVE(also,the shrimp is great & the draught Harp is mother's milk)-it will be full of Mets fan especially after the game & my suggestion would be to go after the game so you can enjoy it & have no time pressure to get to the game-simply reverse your steps upon leaving & the train will whisk you back to Manhattan(look for the escalator on the right side at 61st Street for an easy trip up to the train-also, the Long Island Railroad station is adjacent if you want easy acess to Penn Station).By the way, Shea is set off by its self unlike Yankee Stadium-there are NO places to eat within walking distance.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask & I wish you good luck on your trip-as I wrote this, I thought of my father who came here in 1948 from West Clare in Ireland & was a diehard Mets fan from their inception in 1962-he was a player/fan of hurling & Gaelic football but took to baseball like a duck to water so I think you will be fine. Again, Good Luck

Italy Traveller,

Great post, and thanks for your advice.

I completely understand the sentiments in your posting. I'm a 40 year old man, happily married, kids, good job...and yet I've never, ever been able to shake off the childlike buzz I get when entering a sports stadium (ANY sport), and breathing in the atmosphere.

And I hope that I never will shake it off.

I've travelled all over Europe watching my club team and national team play soccer, and I've been lucky enough to experience the way different people and cultures embrace sport....I've been desperate for a while to take in a ball game in the States but circumstances have dictated that there was no time for it, and I'm really looking forward to my visit to Shea.

I love watching how different fans react to their side no matter the sport, and while I agree that some can overstep the mark (you should take in the murderous hatred of a Celtic - Rangers soccer game sometime...I mean that literally), there's nothing beats the passion connected with a brilliant sporting ocassion.....sadly in Scotland, my club doesn't get involved in enough of these.

I was slightly disingenuous in my original post...while I've never seen a ball game live, I've seen enough on TV to have a good grasp of the basics, it's these pesky averages and statistics that I need to brush up on..

Again, thanks for your advice. Be sure I'll let my wife know that there are plenty of adults the world over who turn back into kids whenever sport is involved

To The Judge....sorry, my last post crossed with yours.

Many thanks for very helpful advice...what a tremendous post.

I've taken note of your recommendations and we'll certanly make use of them, as we'll take an afternoon to get out of Manhattan and explore a least for a small time these areas of Queens.

What great people there are on this forum !

Happy to be of assistance-when I when to Italy for the first time(& hopefully not the last) this site and TripAdvisor were invaluable to me in selecting hotels, etc. Since your question was about basically when I lived for 29 years & my favorite baseball team, I felt compelled to return the same kind of help I had been given. Again, good luck w/the trip & please let me know how it went-last night the Mets blew an 9th inning lead to the team they are fighting for 1st place-if this keeps up, Shea may be a ghosttown by the middle of August but you will still get to see a major league game

You can brush up on them on all the team web sites - they seem to have evverything now - from BA to RISP to OBP - never mind the pitchers stats.

Essentially the game has gone metric (they measure and count everything) and data focussed (all the batters can pull up their stats and actual at bats vs any pitcher in the leage to help them prepare for games. And pitchers can do the same abuot their history with varius batters.)

In addition to the tennis stadium, the Panorama at the Queens museum is not far from Shea.
http://www.queensmuseum.org/panorama/about.htm

If you want Asian food, I think going one more station on the 7 train (Main st. Flushing) will have more of a selection. Sentosa, Spicy & Tasty and Sripraphai are well known places. Maybe do that for dinner after the game. Here's a recent article on places in that area.

http://www.exploreli.com/entertainme...,4660161.story

You can use hopstop.com for exact directions (make sure to chose Queens for the borough).