Take me out to the
Citizens Bank ballpark

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It was built by Philadelphians for Philadelphians.
On any given night, a new hero can emerge there.
It houses an exhilarating bond between a city and its baseball team.
Welcome to Citizens Bank Park.
Construction of the 21-acre stadium started in November 2001 and took a little over three years to complete. Now the home of the Philadelphia Phillies stands proud on Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.
Since it’s opening on April 9, 2004, Citizens Bank Park has inspired passion in our sports town and created an atmosphere of excitement. It has hosted two most valuable players in two seasons, and last year it was the setting for the Philadelphia Phillies’ first National League East division championship in 14 years.
After their start in 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies made their home in the Baker Bowl, at Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue. In 1938 they moved to Shibe Park, later known as Connie Mack Stadium, before moving to new Veterans Stadium in 1971.
At that time, the Phils had never won a World Series championship. But just five years after moving into the Vet, their luck changed. The Phillies went on to claim the NL East title from 1976 to ’78, and in 1980 they brought home their only World Series championship victory to date.
Three years ago, the Phillies debuted a new home at Citizens Bank Park — a new ballpark known for many things, including good food, a family atmosphere and some of the most passionate fans in baseball.
In addition to hosting the Fightin’ Phillies home games, Citizens Bank Park is open for public tours, providing Philadelphia fans an up-close look at one of the largest stadiums in Major League Baseball.
And here at the Northeast Times, an opportunity to get an inside look at the $346 million ballpark was impossible to pass up.
After arriving at the Majestic Clubhouse Store last week and meeting Bruce Adams, the tour director, and fourth-grade students from Gloucester Township Elementary School also taking the tour on a class trip — the excursion was underway.
First up were the luxurious suite seats of Citizens Bank Park, which are located close to the action at 13 feet above street level and offer such perks as a private bar and restroom and a spectacular view of the field. Comfort comes at a cost, though — these seats command $200,000 for a season pass or $3,300 per game for a group package for 22 people.
Next we visited Harry the K’s restaurant, named after Harry Kalas, Hall of Fame sportscaster and longtime "Voice of the Phillies." The outside eatery has tabletops displaying photos of Phillies memories, and also showcases several murals created by local artist Max Mason.
"Each mural is a tribute to Richie Ashburn," Adams told the intrigued group. "In that one, if you look below the pitcher’s leg, on the scoreboard it says, ‘Listen to Richie Ashburn.’"
Ashburn is embedded deep in Philadelphia sports history. After spending 12 of his 15 years in Major League Baseball as the Phillies centerfielder, Ashburn became part of the Phils’ broadcast team from 1963 until his death in 1997.
The stadium’s popular Ashburn Alley, a tribute to the Hall of Fame player, is located behind centerfield. The area displays the Phillies’ Walk of Fame, with cement plates in the ground inscribed with the names of more than 100 Phillies all-stars since the first all-star game was played in 1933.
Two bullpens are situated nearby, just a few feet from a platform where adoring fans can watch their favorite pitchers. When the park initially opened, the Phillies used the top bullpen. However, by the second game, the squad requested a switch to the lower bullpen to give themselves some space from rallying, and sometimes distracting, fans.
"One of the nicest things about this park is the open concourse. For me, as a fan, I think the best value is a standing-room-only ticket," said Adams, referring to the tickets that give fans entrance to the stadium but not a particular seat. "Then you can wander all the way around here, and every time I come here, I just watch the game from the tables in Ashburn Alley. You can always see the field here."
Kids can enjoy plenty of interactive games at Ashburn Alley as well, such as hurling their fastest pitch to clock its speed, playing ballpark pinball and running the bases.
"It’s more family-friendly, and the open concourse is the best," said Tina Trueland, one of the parents assisting the Gloucester Township school’s class trip. "I remember being in the Vet in 1996 for the all-star games in July, and it was so hot. Here, it’s more open and comfortable. And I like that there’s a lot of different stuff for the kids if they get bored with the game."
Next on the tour was a stroll through the Diamond Club, a more affordable alternative to the suite area, which features 1,226 seats that are located behind home plate in rows 3 through 20. For this prime location, a season ticket can range from $6,000 to $7,000. Individual game seats are not sold through Citizens Bank Park, but usually can be found on StubHub, a ticket-selling Web site, for about $100 each.
Diamond Club ticketholders also gain entrance to the Diamond Clubhouse Lounge, an indoor area featuring a pre-game buffet and full-service bar. The most thrilling part of being in this club, for many, is the chance to be above the Phillies’ indoor batting cages. The cages are actually lined with turf from Veterans Stadium, one of the few things brought over from the Phillies’ former ballpark.
The fans hoping to get a more up close and personal with their favorite team were thrilled to see what was next on the tour. The kids yelped with excitement, and cameras instantly started flashing, as we ventured onto the field and into the Phillies’ dugout.
There it was. The abode of all our favorite Philadelphia baseball players — Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins — they’ve all been here, playing their hearts out, game after game.
The excitement continued as the crowd gathered in the team’s clubhouse for an even more personal look at the baseball lives of the Phillies. As we entered the locker room, star-struck children gasped at the sight of pictures tacked to the wall of Shane Victorino’s locker and a giant boombox sitting in Jimmy Rollins’ locker.
The clubhouse also had a kitchen for the players’ pre- and post-game catered meals — which the players pay for themselves — and a training room and a pool.
"It’s not like the old days when (Darren) Daulton and them would sit in the old clubhouse and drink beers all night and not go home," said Alex Sermarini, a security guard at the clubhouse who has been involved with the Phillies’ organization for 18 years. "It’s different age now. These players have personal trainers. They don’t even have regular sodas, all diet. And all the candy was eliminated. The counter used to have all the good candies, like Snickers and stuff. Now they have no sugar."
While Sermarini was reminiscing, kids continued to explore the locker room, as some of the players’ personal bats were passed throughout the crowd by tour representatives and quickly elicited various "oohs" and "aahs" by the enthusiastic youngsters.
The tour wrapped up with a quick look at the Phillies’ press box, where local members of the media watch and report on games. Soon after, the crowd was whisked away to the media room, where manager Charlie Manuel usually gives his press conferences after the game. The last stop on the 90-minute tour was the Hall of Fame Club, which showcases historic Phillies’ memorabilia and old-time team photos from over the years.
Soon the ride was over and we were back to where we had started, in the Majestic Clubhouse Store . . . only now everyone’s face was glowing with delight. The tour was complete, but I think everyone in that room treasured their glimpse into the lives of their Phillies, and perhaps got just a bit more pumped for the long season ahead. ••
Tour tickets can be purchased by calling 215-463-1000 or by visiting phillies.com. Advance registration is required. Cost is $9 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-14 and senior citizens 65 and older.
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com

More details:

Tenant: Philadelphia Phillies (NL)
Opened: April 9, 2004
Construction began: November 2001
Surface: Kentucky bluegrass
Capacity: 43,000 (baseball only)
Owner: City of Philadelphia
Cost: $346 million
Built on a 21-acre site, with the playing field located 23 feet below street level

More facts:

• The scoreboard, standing 39-by-69 feet, is one of the largest in the league.
• After the first season, two rows of seats were eliminated from leftfield and the fence was moved back 5 feet, to make home runs more difficult to hit.
• The bullpen has an elevator.
• Grass on the field is trimmed daily to stand 1.25 inches and is watered every day by 87 sprinklers.
• There are 20,000 parking spaces near the ballpark.