Brooklyn's Progress
July 2001

1,000 Bleacher Seats Added at Stadium The Brooklyn Cyclones, the new class-A affiliate of the New York Mets, will donate 200 free tickets to local charities for every home game this season. On Opening Day, June 25th, all 1,000 bleacher seats were distributed free through Mayor Giuliani's office to little leaguers and marchers who will be participated in the Opening Day parade along Coney Island's Surf Avenue. Response for tickets has been overwhelming with over 200,000 tickets already sold, further proof that fans have been wanting professional baseball to return since the Dodgers left 44 years ago. At all other home games after Opening Day the Mayor and City Hall will give away 100 tickets, while the club will offer 100 tickets free to local community charities each night. “The support we have received since we have entered the community has been so positive that once we were able to add the bleachers we thought this would be a great way to give something back to our fans and the community,” said Jeff Wilpon, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The bleachers are located behind the right field fence, and cost $5 a ticket. Steve Cohen, general manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones said, “Bleacher seats will go on sale the day of each game allowing our fans to enjoy a day at the beach and decide at the last minutes to visit the ballpark.” The Cyclones are the new Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets, playing in the New York-Penn League. Fans will have the opportunity of watching up and coming stars. Former players who rose through the NY-Penn League include current Mets stars such as Al Leiter, Jay Payton and Benny Agbayani. Edgar Alfonzo, the brother of New York Mets all-star second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, manages the team, while former New York Mets stars Bobby Ojeda and Howard Johnson have signed as pitching coach and hitting instructor respectively. The Cyclones season consists of 76 regular season games with 38 home games played at KeySpan Park, the new 7,500-seat stadium in Coney Island. Tickets are priced at $6, $7, $8, $10 and $5 for bleacher seats. Ticket information is available by calling 718-449-TIXS (8497), or by visiting the team's website at www.brooklyncyclones.com.