The Case for Season Tickets

Every minor league club—and many major league teams—have a web page that lists the benefits and uses of season tickets.  While I agree with those benefits, I wanted to share some “hidden” benefits—some perspective about other unrealized advantages of holding season tickets.  It’s my claim that each person should purchase season tickets to something, at some point in his/her life, if possible.

I mean this post to be generic—not necessarily IronPigs-centric, but in my case it is highly related.  It could apply to the Phantoms, Lehigh University Football, SteelHawks Football—any sports or concert series, really.

First, the definition:  What constitutes “Season Tickets?”  When someone tells me that they have Season Tickets for the IronPigs, I immediately assume they mean the full 72-game package.  However, 36-game, 18-game, and 9-game packages exist.  Those are great options and I’m glad that they are available.  In other stadiums (Reading, for example) folks may buy tickets books which can be used for almost any game.  Perhaps the seats will be a bit different, and there’s the risk of being shut out with a sell-out, but it’s another way to purchase a ticket package.  When I refer to “Season Tickets” below, I’m mostly referring to a package that includes a significant number of games—whatever that is.  Could you attend that many games without purchasing a package?  Sure, but it would be too easy to stop going at some point during the season, and many of the benefits I note would be less relevant.

Background:  What prompted me to purchase season tickets in the first place?  I’ve attended minor league baseball games over the years in Erie, Moosic, and Syracuse among other places.  I always have enjoyed it.  I’ve attended other sporting events as well from time to time:  NFL football, college football, basketball, indoor soccer, and even a hockey game or two.  It was never practical, affordable, or even occurred to me to purchase season tickets:  time and money are two things I do not posses in abundance.  When the IronPigs came along, it became more of a possibility due to their proximity and my admiration for Coca Cola Park.  There’s a long story about how it ultimately happened—but that’s a post for a different day.  I didn’t rush into it.  I’ve been a full season ticket holder for the IronPigs starting with the 2009 season (I went to maybe 8 games in 2008.)

Hidden benefit number one:  Knowing the mechanics of the game day.

Think about the last time you attended an event at an unfamiliar facility.  Prior to attending, you had to ask yourself some of the following:

1. How long will it take to get there?  When do I have to leave? Which route should I take?
2. Once I get there, where will I park?  How far will I have to walk?
3. How do I get out of the parking lot?  Will there be a lot of traffic?  Should I leave early?
4. I’m meeting some friends for tailgating.  Where should we set up?  What time should we get there?  What are the rules for this facility?

The season ticket holder will become familiar with the answers to these questions.  Attending the events then becomes that much easier, with fewer questions and fewer worries.

Hidden benefit number two: Knowing where to eat and drink.

Similarly, these questions then come to mind about the food and drink you might require.

1. Which meals does this event cover?
2. What kinds of food and drink are available at the facility?  Which ones are BEST?
3. Should I eat before I go?
4. How much money should I bring?  Should we stop to eat on the way?  Are there any restaurants or bars nearby?
5. What if I have dietary restrictions, such as allergies?

Hidden benefit number three:  Knowing details of the facility itself.

1. Which entrance should I use?
2. Where are the seats located?  Are they good? Should I bring a seat cushion?
3. Are the restrooms and concessions nearby?
4. What if I don’t have tickets? Will they be available?
5. What if I have an emergency or some kind of special need?  Where is ‘fan services’ located?

As you can see, as a regular attendee at a facility, you become accustomed to the timing, physical setup, amenities, and concessions.  You also learn certain advantages, like where it’s best to park and where the best tailgating spot is.  This may not seem like it is tremendous, but to me it lowers my stress level enough that I find it noticeably beneficial.  This, in turn, increases my enjoyment of the games, and allows me relax more.  Then, I notice two more hidden benefits:

Hidden benefit number four:  The game on the field.

As a regular attendee, you start to notice some of the subtleties of the game.  These are things you wouldn’t notice on TV.  You start to notice defensive shifts and offensive strategy.  You start to notice the personalities of the players, as well.  You notice the player who looks stressed-out and the one who is happy-go-lucky.  You note the player who gives 100% versus the one who gives, eh, 91%.  You can pick up on the body language of a team that’s about to make a come-back or one that’s cooked for the night.  It’s interesting to observe.  Here’s one example:

One game last year, I noticed the first baseman screwing around with his glove.  Was he having a problem?  Or, was he just bored?  I don’t know, but it was enough that if he were on my little league team, I would have told him to pay attention.  Sure enough, the next hit was a ground ball to the right side which he should have had.  Was he having an equipment malfunction?  Or, was he losing concentration?  It was interesting to observe, at the least—and could have resulted in a poor outcome to the game on another night.

There’s the possibility, as well, that you might witness something special.  For baseball I find this extremely compelling.  The chance that you might witness a player hit for the cycle, or pitch a perfect game or hit a grand slam is an added advantage to attending more games.  The more games you attend, the better the chances you’ll be in the stands when something special happens.  And you’ll appreciate it more, as well.

The final, and perhaps the greatest, advantage is the people.  Once you attend a number of games, you start to learn the names and recognize the faces of the people you meet each time.  First, perhaps it’s a joke with the parking attendant, and maybe a word or two at the gate about the team’s chances to win that evening.  Then, you share a smile and a weather-related comment with the usher.  Perhaps the bartender remembers your favorite drink and brings it without instruction.  Later, the folks in the stands near you each game become your friends—and if you’re there long enough, and lucky, perhaps as close as family. 

Pretty soon, it’s not like going to just any game anymore.  You’re going to YOUR game, at YOUR stadium, with YOUR people.  That’s THE hidden benefit, really.  I recommend to all:  buy season tickets.  If 72 games is too much, maybe try 36 or 18.  If baseball’s not your thing, perhaps SteelHawks would be better—or get yourself on the list for the coming of the Phantoms.  If sports isn’t your thing (wait, why are you here?) then perhaps a concert series or an orchestra subscription.  It pays off in more ways than you might think, and more ways than they can list on their web site.