Citizens Bank Park 2016 Observations

The Phillies Opening Day has come and gone. Three days later, I think my hangover is gone. With Opening Day a blur, I returned to Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday to do a better assessment of CBP this year.

The parking lots were packed when we arrived on Opening Day about a half hour before first pitch. On Wednesday night, this is what the parking lot looked like ten minutes after the first pitch:

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Nobody. Nothing. Crickets outside.

It’s always good knowing that everyone’s favorite vendor, Pistachio Girl is back.

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This year, the ballpark added a new video display screen in the Right Field bleachers. This was long overdue. If you sat on the third base line or left field section, you’d have to crane your neck to left to check out the visuals.

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Another new addition is a Chick-Fil-A kiosk on the lower level near section 125. The stand offers sandwiches, chips, and lemonade.

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This was a popular addition in my crowd. Reports are the sandwiches were good.

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We have to call out a total VIOLATION on Chickie’s & Pete’s at the ballpark. They had the Detroit/Toronto hockey game on inside their location, which made it impossible for people in line to see watch the game.

IMG_7377Some of the workers are no doubt Flyers fans obsessed with the Playoffs, which is understandable. Still, gotta have the game on so I can see the action should I decide to step away from the game and buy some fries.

One last observation. Aramark moved away from Super Pretzels for a Bavarian Pretzel. These jawns and smaller and more expensive. $5.75 for one of these weak pretzels? Another Violation!

IMG_7406If pretzels are your thing, grab a bag off the vendors outside the ballpark. There’s much better value there.

Finally, whoever this dude is, he rules! It was freezing and this cat went shirtless with a Phanatic hat and he didn’t look anywhere near under 50! Also looks like he’s drinking Land Shark…that’s the Violation in this photo!

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