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Posted: Tuesday September 12, 2006 10:59AM; Updated: Tuesday September 12, 2006 12:12PM
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Philadelphia Phillies
Citizens Bank Park
Philadelphia, Pa. :: Opened: 2004 :: Capacity: 43,647
Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images
Average Ticket Price: $26.73
Average Cost of Concessions and Souvenirs: $87.00
How expensive is stadium parking?
• FREE: 2%
• $5-$10: 37%
• $10-$15: 54%
• $15-$20: 5%
• More than $20: 1%

Is public transportation a viable option?
• Never: 12%
• Worth it if you have a lot of time and patience: 22%
• A good option to avoid rush hour: 25%
• Pretty easy if you know the system well: 36%
• The only way to go: 4%

How would you rate traffic getting to and from the game?

To the game:
• A slow-moving parking lot: 5%
• Slow, but usually steady: 31%
• Moves well outside of rush hour: 31%
• Aside from the occasional bottleneck, it's good: 27%
• A smooth ride at all times: 6%

From the game:
• A slow-moving parking lot: 28%
• Slow, but usually steady: 42%
• Moves well outside of rush hour: 10%
• Aside from the occasional bottleneck, it's good: 16%
• A smooth ride at all times: 2%
How would you rate the number of restrooms for men and women?
• Bring a map: 1%
It depends on the section: 11%
• Never more than a short walk away: 23%
• A satisfactory amount: 27%
• Plenty: 34%

How long is the wait to use a bathroom?
• Always available: 61%
• 1-5 minutes: 35%
• 5-10 minutes: 2%
• More than 10 minutes: 1%

How would you rate the variety of food/beer concession options?
• Limp hot dogs, bland peanuts, even blander beer: 1%
• Nothing fancy, but the staple foods are tasty: 2%
• A little variety of food and drinks available at specific locations: 10 %
• A nice variety but locations are spread out: 37%
• You name it, they have it around almost every corner: 48%

How much will a meal at the ballpark cost you?
• $5-$10: 8%
• $10-$20: 70%
• $20-$30: 18%
• $30-$40: 2%
• More than $40: 1%

How would you rate the entertainment options aside from the game?
• Nonexistent: 1%
• So many games/promotions and scoreboard highlights that the game is lost in the background: 4%
• Typical mascot antics/scoreboard quizzes and fun music: 33%
• Some unique promotions/antics, but it sometimes distracts from the game: 15%
• A nice balance that draws your attention when the game is stopped but doesn't distract from the action on the field: 47%
This "gem" of a ballpark makes for an "intimate baseball experience" courtesy of an angled seating layout that offers a great view of the field "no matter whether you are standing or sitting." While the openness of the park behind the outfield affords a "spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline ... the surrounding neighborhood is nonexistent." Be sure to check out the rooftop seats in center field for a unique view of the field, and Ashburn Alley for local food and amusements. ("Tony Luke's roast pork sandwiches make the trip worthwhile.") Some, though, think the trip feels more "like going to a theme park" than a ballpark. But with a "spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline" replacing the enclosed cement circle that was the Vet, Philly fans aren't complaining too loudly.
"The problem with the park is that it's in an semi-industrial zone with Lincoln Financial Field and the Sixers' arena." McFadden's, a bar/restaurant attached to the stadium, and Chickie's & Pete's a few blocks away offer the only semblance of nightlife near the park. Most opt for a 10-minute drive over to 8th Street and stop in at Geno's or Pat's, the city's two most renowned cheesesteak emporiums.
2006 record: 72-71 (all statistics through Sept. 10)
Players worth the price of admission: Ryan Howard (.316 Avg., 56 HRs, 138 RBIs), Chase Utley (.304 Avg., 28 HRs, 89 RBIs)
Really, it's a shame that such a marvelous ballpark is stuck in Philly's stadium office park, near the homes of the Eagles and the Sixers. While that makes for easy commuting via public transportation, it also makes for a lousy pre- and postgame scene -- and that makes for an all-too-quick experience at a picture-perfect park. To their credit, the Phillies seem to understand the problem in offering a dizzying array of places to eat at the park, which are none too cheap but inviting nonetheless.

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