Yankee Stadium, as we've known it most of our lives, is about to become a softball field. Surely, that semi-sketchy part of the Bronx will have the most hallowed parks-and-rec complex in America, not to mention some of the more interesting ghosts.

That was part of the deal, that in exchange for the park where the newest new Yankee Stadium would be built, the land beneath the outgoing Yankee Stadium would be turned over to the city for community parkland.

For this last season, though, you can see the yesterday, today and tomorrow of Yankee Stadium at the same time. The two stadiums are directly across the street from each other, hard by the Major Deegan Expressway, and spectacular in both their individuality and their contrast.

Yankee Stadium, the active version, looks like a great major league ballpark. Yankee Stadium, the one under construction, looks more to me like something that should be located along the Potomac instead of the Harlem River. With its sharp corners and the brilliant gold "Yankee Stadium" atop the entryway, it could be the Federal Reserve or the U.S. Mint.

How appropriate. The new Yankee Stadium has a starter price of $1.3 billion, but more on that later. When you think of how much money already has gone into the ballpark, plus the zillions that will course through it over the next half-century or so, it makes the Federal Reserve look like a drive-through bank.

(To see pictures of the new stadium, go to yankees.mlb.com and click on Yankee Stadium.)

The San Diego Padres were among the latest visitors to catch a glimpse. A couple of them thought the new park brought to mind a stadium from even further back in history, a competition site that staged sport of an entirely different sort. Real-live lions and all.

"The Colosseum," said second baseman Edgar Gonzalez. "That's what it reminded me of."

"With the columns and the pillars, it's reminiscent of ancient Rome-slash-Caesars Palace," said manager Bud Black. "Very impressive."

Black actually got a sneak peak at the catacombs and interior of the new Yankee Stadium, which the club has kept under wraps.

Put it this way. At the new Yankee Stadium you won't just walk through the turnstile and stroll a concourse. You'll enter what they're calling the "Great Hall," an expanse of 31,000 square feet, a tribute to all things Yankee.

About the only thing small in the whole place will be the famous short porch in right field. The exterior design replicates the Yankee Stadium that was built in 1923, and the Yankees are keeping the exact field dimensions as the existing diamond. Monument Park, the facade, all of it.

Yankee Stadium will be large enough to house a Hard Rock Cafe and steakhouse, partly owned by the club, without views of the ballfield. For that, you'll have to decide whether to buy a ticket or pay your mortgage this month.

"Everything about it is big, spacious," said Black. "Without a doubt, they went for it."

They're still going for it. Already provided $941 million in tax-exempt public bonds, the Yankees reportedly are seeking $400 million more to finish things the way they want them.

Think of that. The overrun of Yankee Stadium would be enough to build a new ballpark somewhere else.

How very Steinbrenner.

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