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Watching batting practice gives fans an opportunity to see players up close and personal. Some players use this time to sign autographs and interact with fans. But what about New York Mets’ games at Citi Field? Can you watch batting practice at Citi Field?
Yes, you can watch batting practice at Citi Field, although it’s worth noting that batting practice begins prior to the stadium gates opening, so fans will only be able to see part of batting practice. The official time that New York Mets batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly two and a half hours before game time. Typically, batting practice lasts 45-50 minutes per team.
The Mets will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but most teams stick to normal routines as much as possible.
The nice thing about watching batting practice at Citi Field is the stadium gates open a full 2 hours prior to game time, which is earlier than many other MLB stadiums. But, it is still important to note that the Mets will already be on the field taking batting practice when stadium gates open.
The home team portion of batting practice will conclude shortly after the stadium gates open, then the road team will take the field to hold their portion of batting practice. Fans will be asked to take their normal seats as game time approaches.
Although batting practice is usually held, it is not guaranteed to happen prior to every game. To read more, you can visit the Mets information guide which provides specific times for Citi Field batting practice and infield practice based on game time.
New York Mets Batting Practice Time
Can You Watch Batting Practice at Citi Field?
Yes, you can watch batting practice at Citi Field. As we discussed above, the official time that New York Mets batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly two and a half hours before game time.
The New York Mets will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but batting practice usually lasts 45-50 minutes per team.
Again, the nice thing about watching batting practice at Citi Field is the stadium gates open a full 2 hours prior to game time, which is earlier than many other MLB stadiums. But, it is still important to note that the Mets will already be on the field taking batting practice when stadium gates open.
The home team portion of batting practice will conclude shortly after the stadium gates open, then the road team will take the field to hold their portion of batting practice. Fans will be asked to take their normal seats as game time approaches.
So, the main takeaway is that even though, yes, fans are allowed to enter the stadium early to watch batting practice at Citi Field, because the gates only open 2 hours prior to first pitch, the home-team portion of batting practice will already be underway when fans can enter the stadium.
What Time do Gates Open for Batting Practice?
Citi Field gates open 2 hours prior to game time (source). As we discussed earlier, this gate-opening time is actually earlier than many other MLB stadiums, which means Citi Field is a great place to catch a glimpse of batting practice for the home team.
After the Mets complete their portion of batting practice, the road team will take the field and hold batting practice. For more information on stadium gates, visit our Citi Field Gate & Parking Lot Guide.
Do You Need a Ticket for Batting Practice?
You will, of course, need a game ticket to be able to enter Citi Field and watch batting practice, but you don’t need an additional ticket to be able to watch batting practice.
If you need tickets for an upcoming New York Mets game, you can read more by visiting our article that discusses buying Mets tickets at Citi Field.
Other Things to do Besides Watching Batting Practice at Citi Field
If you are looking for other activities at or near Citi Field to do before going to the game, there are a few options you may want to check out.
In the ballpark, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda is located near the home-plate gate and provides fans the opportunity to explore the rich history of Major League Baseball, and the direct impact that Jackie Robinson had on the sport. To read more, click here.
McFaddens is a sports bar located on the northeast side of Citi Field, near parking lot A. It gives fans a nice place to get a meal and a drink before or after the game.
Citi Field replaced icononic Shea stadium, but remnants of Shea Stadium still exist around Citi Field. The Shea Stadium Home Run Apple is located near the home plate gate to Citi Field, and is a nice place to take a family photo before the game. Also, you can view the original location of Shea Stadium bases and pitching mound located in parking lot D of Citi Field.
There are also several retail stores located inside Citi Field in case you want to buy fan gear prior to the game. To learn more, visit our New York Mets Jersey Guide.
New York Mets Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Citi Field, the New York Mets, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the New York Mets staff. Contact information is below:
- Citi Field – View Stadium Information
- New York Mets – View Contact Information
- Buying Mets Parking Pass