Where can I watch the MLB All-Star Game tomorrow night in Ithaca, New York?

July 13, 2009 5:52 PM

Where can I watch the MLB All-Star Game tomorrow night in Ithaca, New York?

The Major League Baseball all-star game is tomorrow night. I would like to watch it. Ordinarily this would be easy. What makes this hard, you ask? I'm in Ithaca, New York for a conference at Cornell. I am staying in a Cornell dorm (on North Campus), there is no TV in my room, and there are "TV lounges" but the key I have doesn't unlock them. Presumably they give those of us who are here for conferences different keys than the students who stay in this building during the academic year. And I am carless; presumably someplace in Collegetown would be the closest but my Ithaca geography is not so good. The Internet connection in my room is good, so feel free to make suggestions that take advantage of this.

Bonus points if I won't be surrounded by Mets or Yankees fans. (I'm from Philly, and I went to college in Boston so I absorbed "Yankees suck" pretty quickly.)

posted by madcaptenor to sports, hobbies, & recreation (6 comments total)

One bar where they're almost certain to be showing this game would be Benchwarmers in the Commons. I'm sure there are others, but this one should work. To get there from North Campus, get to central campus however you normally would and look around for bus stops where you can take a number 10 bus downtown. You can definitely get a 10 bus from the Goldwin Smith or Sage bus stops. There are many other buses that go downtown as well, ask bus drivers for help; they'll be happy to assist you. Get off at the Seneca Street bus stop. This is a huge stop and the main stop downtown, it's really hard to miss it. The Commons should be across the street, a brick-paved, pedestrian-only mall. Cross the road and walk into the Commons, turn right and you should find Benchwarmers on your left if you walk a few yards.
posted by peacheater at 6:39 PM on July 13

Which North Campus dorm are you in? Most have TVs in the common areas on each floor, separate from the big, locked ones that are in the basement or similar areas.

Collegetown is pretty darn tiny. Just walk over (15-20 min walk from North Campus) and wander around the main drag. Enjoy!
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 PM on July 13

Oh yeah. Both Robert Purcell Community Center and Appel Commons have TVs. They are the two community centers/dining hall buildings on North campus. You can check the campus map if you need it. I'll warn you that you might be surrounded by high school summer students, which might not be a plus.
posted by zachlipton at 10:53 PM on July 13

Finally, Pixel in Collegetown will probably be showing the game. It's not a true sports bar like Benchwarmers, but it is within walking distance.

Should you decide to go down to the Commons, consider how you're getting back. The bus service is somewhat spotty late at night, especially during the summer, so plan ahead with the schedule. There are some taxis available, but you'll likely need the bar to call one for you. If you don't mind walking uphill, it's a decent hike, but not that fun at night anyway.
posted by zachlipton at 11:04 PM on July 13 [1 favorite has favorites]

what are the high school students doing here? I've noticed them and they seem overwhelmingly the athletic type.

I'm in Mews. The TVs on the individual floors with dorm rooms are in locked rooms (in rooms with glass windows! so I can see them but not use them!) but there might be something in one of the first-floor lounge-type rooms.
posted by madcaptenor at 4:49 AM on July 14

Update: tried to watch the game in the dorm where I'm staying. But the TV doesn't get that channel? (WTF? It's Fox. But apparently the service is DirectTV and they don't subscribe to the broadcast channels.) Walked down to Collegetown, stopped in the second place I saw (Rulloff's), had a couple beers from the Ithaca Beer Company, watched the NL lose again. Thanks for the advice.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:06 PM on July 14