The Philadelphia Phillies played their first home game of the season on Monday against the Colorado Rockies, giving fans their first look at some of the new aspects of Citizens Bank Park.
While there was far from an overhaul at the Phillies home stadium since 2004, this year’s alterations did go a little bit beyond expanding the ballpark menu.
One of the most noticeable changes is one that opposing teams will undoubtedly love—the bullpen bench, which had previously been in the open just below a bustling section of the stadium, has been enclosed. While opposing pitchers warming up will still have to face jeers from the stands, those not preparing to enter the game will be spared by the new design.
Visiting relievers across baseball will rejoice: The Phillies enclosed the bullpens. Opposing pitchers can hide from the hecklers. pic.twitter.com/JbbZhEOq1A
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) March 31, 2025
Phillies fans were, understandably, disappointed that their ire would no longer be able to be as broadly directed as it once was, but vowed to find a way to continue getting under the skin of the opposition.
What a travesty. https://t.co/tQs3sxLj03
— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) March 31, 2025
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Let them feel our wrath https://t.co/TFOf88uej8
— “Sports fan Mark Kremer” (@mark_kremer) March 31, 2025
https://t.co/uVj52KCB8V pic.twitter.com/kYlY7f7xhs
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) March 31, 2025
However the opposing pitcher warming up becomes even more of a target lol
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) March 31, 2025
Luckily for Phillies fans, any opposing pitcher that wants to get loose before taking the mound is still going to have to feel the wrath of the crowd.
On Monday, Philadelphia’s home field advantage showed no signs of slowing down due to the new bullpen layout. The Phillies beat the Rockies 6–1, with all six of their runs coming against the Colorado bullpen.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Phillies Fans Fuming After Stadium Redesign Makes it Harder to Jeer Opposing Pitchers.
