The New York Mets have a minor league affiliate in Binghamton, and while a pro sports event is not the first weekend diversion one thinks of in our region, a ballgame in Binghamton is entertaining and affordable.
The Binghamton Mets are a mid-level minor league franchise. The team generally fields a few players who will eventually make it to the big time. A few years ago, we saw David Wright playing there, a week or so before he was promoted to the major league Mets, where he is now an All-Star third baseman.
The outing is easy and, as we say, affordable. Tickets are $8 and $9, which is less than parking at a big league park (parking for the Binghamton Mets is $2, if we remember right, or free and readily available on neighborhood streets around the park).
The park is intimate, seating about 5,000. It is clean and the atmosphere is wholesome and family-oriented. Concessions are reasonably priced, and range from good-quality spiedies (a Binghamton specialty) to steamed franks that require culinary courage more than coinage.
Weekend night games are followed by a fireworks show, which is not bad. Personally we prefer old-fashioned day games, on Sunday.
The B-Mets are home this Sunday for a game that starts at 1 pm. Good tickets are generally available at the gate at game time.
Some Ithacans will be making a group trip to this Sunday's game. Leading us is Kenny Ritter, who produced the Luminary News on local TV until illness deterred him. Kenny is still fighting his illness, but will be sitting behind home plate on Sunday. Come by and say hi.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
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