Baseball Season in NYC-The Best Way to Practice Your English June 24, 2017

One of my favorite times of the year is baseball season. I grew up in a family that was raised playing the sport, and I grew up decked out in Chicago Cubs gear—it was quite simply a way of life for us. Some of my favorite memories growing up are from the stadium watching my team play with my family and loved ones. Even after I moved away from Chicago, I’d keep my eye on their schedule and see if I could make their away games. In fact, when I was living in Philadelphia, I’d get a bunch of my Phillies fans together and take them to see them play the Cubs. It was the perfect situation for fans of two different teams, and we’d always end up having a blast.

One of the coolest parts of living in New York City is that we have some pretty iconic options when it comes to baseball. The sport itself is timeless and is considered an American pastime, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get adjusted to the New York City experience while you’re learning and practicing your English-speaking skills. If you’re ready for a taste of New York City as well as an iconic American experience, find your best baseball hat, bring some cash for a few hot dogs, and get ready for one of the coolest days ever! And don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!

1. New York Yankees—Yankees Stadium, Bronx

Getting to Yankees Stadium is an easy shot up the 4 train (don’t forget to use your Google Maps!), so you don’t have to worry about parking or paying for a taxi or fighting traffic. I recommend getting there a bit early so you can have time to check out the gift shops, learn about all the iconic history behind the Yankees, and pick up some great snacks and maybe a beer or two. Luckily, Yankee Stadium is a timeless staple to the New York City experience, so the field gets a lot of other out-of-towners; it’s the perfect opportunity to practice your English with the vendors, other fans, and there’s plenty of memorabilia to read up on so you can become a Yankees expert! And to top it all off, you can then say that you’ve seen one of the most timeless baseball teams in the world—live! After the game, be sure to hit up one of the many surrounding restaurants in the area, themed around the Yankees and some of the team’s most famous players—there’s not a better way to cap off the day than a great meal and a cold beer, surrounded my hundreds of other Yankees fans. I’ll admit—it’s hard to live in New York City and NOT catch the Yankee fever! I’ll always be a Cubs fan at heart, but just don’t tell my family that I’m also a secret Yankees fan!

2. New York Mets—Citi Field, Queens

Getting to Citi Field is just as easy as getting to Yankee Stadium—it’s a straight ride via the 7 train, so again, you don’t have to stress about driving, parking, or fighting any kind of traffic. You can find tickets online, or if you’re feeling lucky, you can show up the day of the game and see what last-minute seats you can find. The great part about baseball season is that there are plenty of games throughout the season, so you have tons of options with timing and availability. The Mets are just as iconic as the Yankees, so it’s the perfect opportunity to check out all the memorabilia and learn about one of the most famous baseball teams in America. And again, it’s the perfect time to practice your English from all the surroundings at the stadium. You can learn some of the most famous baseball terms, practice the iconic Mets players’ names, and pick up on some of the colloquial phrases that baseball brings out in people (I’ll write about these in another article, so you can be sure to practice these before you hit the field!). Again, after the game, don’t forget to stick around and check out all the surrounding restaurants to learn even more about the iconic team and their legen