To say the Mets’ players and coaches were eager to see new Citi Field for themselves would be an huge understatement. If you want a mental picture, think kids on Christmas morning. Not wanting to wait until tonight’s exhibition with the Red Sox, the team sneaked in a late-night visit to the ballpark as soon as their plane from Port St. Lucie landed Thursday.

As if that wasn’t enough, several players showed up to the park yesterday hour earlier than they were required to be there. Right fielder Ryan Church was so excited that he arrived at noon for a 6:10 p.m. start.

Players didn’t know what to rave about first when it came to the plush amenities the team built for them. From the massive clubhouse to the hot-and-cold tubs to the indoor batting cages, it was obvious they weren’t at creaky Shea Stadium anymore.

“What is there not to love?” David Wright said. “The field looks tremendous. The amenities in the clubhouse and the stuff that’s catered to us is first-class and I think the fans are getting a first-class experience. I think everybody is pretty thrilled with how it turned out.”

The players’ lounge even has a “Sopranos” pinball machine that was getting a workout yesterday afternoon.

“I’m just in awe,” Church said. “They didn’t hold back on anything, to say the least. It’s an unbelievable clubhouse. I’m going to get lost in here.”