Dawn Of New Security Era At Yankee Stadium
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Something new debuted at Yankee Stadium Tuesday, and it wasn't a limited edition jersey.
Fans arriving for the first of a three-game series between the Yankees and the Houston Astros had to pass through metal detectors at Gate 2, 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported.
Dawn Of New Security Era At Yankee Stadium
Metal detectors will be phased in at all of the stadium's gates by the start of next season as part of Major League Baseball's 2015 mandate to standardize security at all 30 ballparks.
The metal detectors are in addition to, not in replace of, bag checks that are also done at all big league stadiums.
Most fans were understanding, but some only grudgingly so, Baumgarten reported.
"Happens everywhere else. They do it in Boston, they do it in Montreal, they do it in Cleveland," said Stephen. "It sucks but it is what it is, it's all the counterterrorism."
"I guess it's a necessary way of life. Not that we're happy about it, but gotta do what we gotta do to stay safe," said Nick.
Other fans were not so understanding.
"I think they should go back to the regular, what they had before," Joe said. "It's gonna tie up a lot of lines."
"It's just slowing us down going inside," said Sal. "I don't know how necessary it is. It seems like it's, in my opinion, probably overkill."
At least one fan entering the Stadium Tuesday night welcomed the metal detectors.
"I've been coming here for years and I think it's good," Jerry said. "Let's make sure everybody is safe when they come to the game."
As a result of the heightened security protocols, the Yankees are urging their fans to get to the ballpark earlier from now on.
"Nothing is more important to us at Yankee Stadium than the safety of the fans we serve," Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost said last week. "To that end, we are committed to the procedures that Major League Baseball and the Department of Homeland Security have asked us to implement. We want our fans to feel safe in Yankee Stadium, and our staff is dedicated to maintaining the highest security standards possible."
Fans can opt out of the metal detectors in favor of hand wand screening.
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