The Other Yankees in New York

Official Review by Gary Herman, Stadium Journey Guest Correspondent

The Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George is the home of the 4 time NY-Penn League Champion Staten Island Yankees. It also hosted the NY-Penn League All-Star Game in 2010.

The ballpark is conveniently located on the most Northern tip of Staten Island and is adjacent to Staten Island Ferry Terminal which makes getting to and from very easy especially if you're visiting from New York City.

This is an ideal place to take a family or a group. They offer a tremendous entertainment value, which pales in comparison to seeing the Bronx Bombers, the New York Yankees.

Speaking of the NY Yankees, a number of players have started their professional careers right here in Staten Island. For example, current Yankees Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner, Francisco Cervelli as well as recent call up Colin Curtis spent time honing their skills in Staten Island.

Food & Beverage    3

I wouldn't consider the quality anything over the top. The prices are reasonable for the minor leagues. They offer several options, although most are your average ballpark fare including Pulled Pork Sandwich ($5.50), Sausage ($6), Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Chips ($5), Buffalo Wings ($6), and Jalapeno Poppers ($4.50)

To drink you can choose from water ($3), soda (small $2.50 & medium $3), or beer ($5.25 16 ounce premium & 20 ounce domestic draft).

Atmosphere    3

Upon entry into the ballpark they give you a booklet with the rosters of both teams as well as a scorecard so you can keep score if you want to. It's a great family entertainment setting. Kids get to run amok. In addition, they have a Pinstripe Patrol Fun zone in left field for the kids and a team store behind home plate for those who want to buy souvenirs as a memory of their visit.

Neighborhood    2

If you decide you don't want to eat in the ballpark, you don't have many options outside the park.

But if you walk across the street and up the block you'll find a very nice family owned pizza parlor called A & S Pizzeria located at 87 Stuyvesant Place. Their slogan is "You ring, we bring" and that applies to take out orders but you can sit down and eat in their newly expanded dining room before you head over to the game.

I've done that many times in the past. It's a great alternative to ballpark food.

Fans    3

Most fans these days are just robots so it's hard to classify them as sophisticated.

Access    3

It's a short yet beautiful scenic 25-minute ride from Lower Manhattan to the Ferry Terminal. Most importantly, it's a free ride for the public.

If you happen to drive there they have 6 parking lots right by the ballpark but they're not controlled by the Staten Island Yankees. I've driven there on a few occasions and I was fortunate to find free parking in the nearby neighborhood. I usually take the boat over which is the best way to get there from my perspective.

Return on Investment    5

As for the entertainment value, the Staten Island Yankee ticket prices seem high at first, but if you're a season ticket holder you can get a steal of a deal.

They do offer a variety of season ticket plans that include an all you can eat deal for only $16 a game. They have 3 different 7 game pinstripe packs that you can choose from as well as the full season ticket plan, which includes a ticket to see the NY Yankees play at Yankee Stadium.

In addition, if you can round a group of 10 people you can take advantage of the all you can eat deal as well for just $18 a person which includes a Staten Island hat as part of the deal. Furthermore, you get to see your group name in lights on the state of the art scoreboard.

I spoke briefly with a young man named John DeLuca who is the Group Sales Coordinator for the Staten Island Yankees. The all you can eat deal consists of the following: Cheeseburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, bags of popcorn and soda and water which are Pepsi products.

You're allowed to stuff your face and eat and drink until your heart's content until the 7th inning. They provide you with a wristband that you put around your wrist so they know you can participate in the deal.

Since I go there a hand full of times I don't have access to the all you can eat deal but on this night a friend of mine was able to exchange unused tickets which is another great benefit from being a season ticket holder.

I enjoyed the royal treatment thanks to my friend who lives in Staten Island.

If you decide on the spur of the moment to take in a Staten Island Yankee game, they charge $14 for seats just past first and third base and $16 for seats behind home plate and the infield for an individual game. It's not that bad considering the ballpark is within the boroughs of NYC where everything costs a lot more than most places throughout the country.

Extras    3

If you can take advantage of their great marketing programs you can really look like a hero as a group leader or amongst your family and friends for a particular night out.

Final Thoughts

Gary Herman is the Prince Charming of Stadium Travel at Royalty Tours USA.