Baseball fans have their rituals when showing up to the ballpark. Whether it's hitting up the same vendor for food and beverage or a favorite early glimpse of the field, the build-up to the game has its own unique delights. With Opening Day a little over a month away, fans can hardly wait to be back.
Philadelphia Phillies games always present the possibility of seeing something new and exciting. The live sound of the crack of the bat and the pop of the mitt is unmatched when attending Citizens Bank Park. There's a reason the Phillies' current ballpark has the best home-field advantage in the postseason, per MLB.com's Cole Jacobson.
New gate times will give fans a chance to see Phillies' batting practice in 2025
The passing of the innings and turn of the lineup is exciting, but a lot of that fun can happen before a pitch is even thrown. The funneling into the stadium is where the eagerness begins, and getting to watch the Phillies take batting practice adds to the enjoyment. In 2025, fans will now get a chance to watch their favorite Phillies stars get ready for the game.
Time can pass a little slower for fans as the Phillies announced new and earlier gate times for home games during the regular season, per Bailey Digh of Phillies Nation. All gates at Citizens Bank Park will open 90 minutes prior to game time Monday through Friday. For weekend games, all gates will open two hours prior to the start of the game.
In recent years, fans were allowed in 70 minutes prior to game-time until they allowed earlier entry later in the season. Fans only really got to catch the tail-end of the away team's batting practice, so the additional time will show the Phillies' batting practice to the home crowd.
For some, you can never get to the ballpark early enough. On top of the batting practice on the field, there are still a ton of other indulgences you can partake in while spending your evening in South Philadelphia. The New Era Team Store, Ashburn Alley and more will open early as well to retain the full fan experience for those who stick to their rituals. Fans will still have plenty of time to get crab fries and any assortment of beverages while still getting to watch every bit of baseball played on the field that day.