This afternoon I enjoyed seeing the work of Service Electric 2’s Ryan Kelly and Tagg Bozied on MLB Network’s Intentional Talk show. Then a fun Noise Nation mini-golf event followed by a trip for an ice cream cone.
The Pigs, however, did not have as great a day as I did. They lost by a final score of 2 to 7 to the Pawsox tonight. 3 more errors for the fielders tonight as well.
***
Also, want to mention an email sent out by the IronPig’s organization today regarding season tickets. Tickets are being offered to all Season Ticket holders at the same rate as your current ticket plan (per game) rate by contacting your season ticket representative. Of note, you must purchase all tickets for each potential games. What if the Pigs don’t make the playoffs or the series aren’t played in full? Then the amount of the unused tickets will be transferred to your account for next season.
I don’t like this for a few reasons. First, they haven’t made the playoffs yet. Yes, everyone including myself is very excited at the possibility of playoff baseball. Call me superstitious but with 47 games remaining and that dreaded call up time late in the season the IronPigs stand as much a chance of NOT making the playoffs as they do of making the playoffs.
Looking at them losing 2 straight games to the 2nd place Pawtucket Redsox who now sit only 2 games back. The schedule just gets worse from there. There are two more games against Pawtucket then come home for 4 vs. Columbus who is arguably thee hottest team in AAA most of the season. After Columbus they face Pawtucket for 4 more and a poor showing in these 10 games could find the Pigs in trouble for a playoff spot. The wild card isn’t a lock either with both Durham and Louisville are in contention. Need to win.. plain and simple. So I do feel a ticket announcement is a little premature.
Also, I remember buying NLCS tickets for the Phillies a couple seasons ago. The policy was that if a game was not played, refunds were issued. Baseball frowns upon this but it is standard. No game, No pay. To roll the money into next year’s tickets looks to me like someone doesn’t want to be bothered with refunds. I don’t like this “There’s no risk by ordering your playoff pack as you will receive a credit towards 2012 tickets for any games that are not played.” thing at all. At all. My enthusiasm wanes even further.
So if you agree with me or don’t.. you know how I feel.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I was thinking the same thing about the playoff tickets. I think I’m just going to suck it up and pay b/c if they do make the playoffs, I want my seats. I just don’t get why they need to know by this Saturday. That doesn’t give people a lot of time to come up with the money.
From the MLB Website regarding unplayed playoff tickets:
“Season Tickets – Marked “SEASON” on the front of the ticket. The season ticket holder of record will receive either an automatic refund or credit towards the season ticket customer’s 2011 season account. Anyone purchasing this ticket from a source other than the Phillies must seek a refund through the party from whom the ticket was purchased. This ticket has no cash value.
Tickets issued through Major League Baseball’s Office and through their Broadcast Partner’s Offices – marked “MLB” on the front of the ticket will receive an automatic credit for any unplayed post-season games. MLB/Broadcast Partner’s tickets SHOULD NOT be returned and will have no cash value.
Tickets issued through any of the Participating or Non-Participating Major League Clubs marked “CLUBS” on the front of the ticket will receive an automatic refund from the Club that issued the tickets. Club tickets SHOULD NOT be returned and will have no cash value.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/tickets/ps_refund_2010.jsp
This is a mixed bag for someone like me who is watching every penny after just completing grad school and busily searching for employment. I don’t have a problem ordering the tickets now, but certainly would like my money returned to me if they either do not make the playoffs, or the series is shortened.
While it is likely I will be renewing my seats for next year, it does seem like a ploy to ensure renewals from those of us who are on an annual plan. Not happy about being given only a few days to decide. Some of us are feeling the pinch of the recession right now.
I’m going to have to think this one over, too bad I don’t have much time…..
It is jumping the gun, a bit, I certainly agree. I fear the jinx, like craziness. I hesitate to even post in this topic….
As far as the credit, I guess I’d probably ask that they do that anyway–apply it to my bill for next season. However, I don’t like being “pre-committed” nor do I treasure stroking a check (credit card, whatever) for $336.00 on four days notice.
But, alas, if I were in charge I would be in a hurry to market the heck out of the potential for playoffs–not only to sell the playoff packs through, but to try to fill the stadium (groups, suites, decks, etc.) for the playoffs as well–not to mention generate buzz for the remaining schedule. With not many games in August this year, probably not a bad idea to get the machine going prior to this big homestand.
This is the payoff, though, you know? Those of us who’ve been buying tickets and beer for 288 (or whatever) home games get some real baseball drama, right? So here’s what else I’d do, if it were up to me (and it’s not): All 2011 full season ticket holders to get one free game per seat for each year of full season ticket holding. In other words, my package would be for 3 games instead of six because I’ve got three seasons in. So I would pay for three–the first three, say. So instead of $336 I’d only owe $168 and only receive credit if the playoffs last less than three. Find some way to prorate that for part-season etc.
The last two games make me want to do the Jim Mora rant, though, huh? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwq7BYOnDrM
For me I still have not even gotten an email from the organization about this and I for one am not just going to cough up a decent chunk of change without the prospect of ever getting what I paid for.
Sure they’ll credit my account by I don’t know if I’ll be back next year and quite frankly don’t want them holding my money until then anyway.
Just the like the AS game viewing party, this is another poorly executed idea that seems like it’s being done on the fly without a whole lot of thought for the actual season ticket holders who for the most part have been far too loyal.
Well, I don’t know as this is not thought out, or just poorly thought out. Reading Schuler’s article in the paper this morning did shed some light on it–Landes meeting with Sandberg to let him know what they’re doing and the attendance figures from previous playoff series. Just looking at our own regular season attendance versus that for some exhibitions and whatnot demonstrates the amount of work and promotion by the staff to sell tickets (again with my suggestion that they do something to get more of those people to actually show up, but I digress).
Full season
18 and 36 games
9 games
advanced sales to s/t holders
groups and hospitality areas
public sales
all those steps–they had to get started now. As much as I don’t like it in the midst of a 5-game slide with more than a month to go–I share your concern and if I weren’t so happy with my specific seat location, I’d just wait. Good seats will be available; I have no doubt.
I thought it was lame to have to let them know in 4 days but I figured what the heck. We haven’t had this much excitement in the 4 seasons plus even though I haven’t sat in my seat much this year, I want it too for the playoffs. If this doesn’t happen at least it set a plan in motion as to how I’m going to handle next year. Oink Oink!!