Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/75653
38 • AUGUST 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Participating in construction of new stadium is special source of pride for long-time New York Yankees fans When the decision was made to build a new home for the New York Yankees across the street from the old Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, it was an exciting time for Yankees fans, old and new. In all honesty, there was some controversy due to its cost and the fact that it displaced several public ball- fields (which were relocated else- where), but in the end, the new Yankee Stadium is an awesome facility which incorporates many design elements from the old ballfield, which was built in 1923. If you were a lifelong Yankees fan and had the opportunity to actually participate in this once-in-a-lifetime project, how would you feel? Awe- some, as it turns out. Twenty-five year fence industry veteran Ralph Guercia, owner of West- bury Fence & Guardrail in Westbury, N.Y., served as fence subcontractor for the perimeter fence and backstops at the new facility. Acting in a consultant capacity and fabricator of the fence fittings and internal locks for the gates (which had to meet NYC Parks Dept. specifica- tions) was Robert Guido of Craft Fence, Inc. in The Bronx. In total, the project required about 600 lineal feet of 16' high, 300 lineal feet of 8' high and 2,000 lineal feet of 42" high fence, as well as a 42' x 20' x 20' MLB backstop, and two smaller backstops for use by Little League and softball teams at another location. It is exciting enough to be awarded a project of this magnitude, but when you are a life-long New York Yankee fan, being involved is extra special. Anthony Verde, a sales representative at the Stephens Pipe & Steel LLC branch in Manchester, Conn., which supplied the fence materials, recalls the day: "I was born and raised in The Fused-Bonded Wire SWAN-BOND I have worked for SPS in Manchester for three years now. I was thrilled when Ralph Guercia of Westbury Fence & Guide Rail called and said 'We got it!' I am 45 years old, and when I hung up the phone with Ralph I felt like a kid again!" said Verde. The ballpark opened April 2, 2009, when the Yankees hosted a workout day in front of fans from the Bronx community. The first game at the new Yankee Stadium was a pre-season exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs played on April 3, 2009, which the Yankees won 7–4. The first regular season game was played on April 16, a 10–2 Yankee loss to the Cleveland Indians. Bronx, and I have been in the fence business since 1987. I have been a Yankee fan since I was five years old. If you were a lifelong New York Yankees fan, it would be a real thrill to be directly involved in providing materials for the new Yankee Stadium. That was certainly the case for Anthony Verde of Stephens Pipe and Steel and several others. (Photos courtesy Anthony Verde) TEMPORARY FENCE PANELS 3,000 + PANELS of 6 X 10 & 6 X 14 ARE IN STOCK 800-688-SWAN (7926) COMPARE AND SAVE ON WE SHIP COAST TO COAST www.swanfence.com 600 W. Manville St., Compton, CA 90220 After a lifetime spent following the New York Yankees in the original Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, it was a special experience to be involved in the construction of the new Yankee Stadium, located across the street from "The Cathedral." Among those involved were Ralph Guercia, above left, owner of Westbury Fence & Guardrail and Anthony Verde of Stephens Pipe & Steel, along with his daughter, Malia Gianna.