I Think the @IronPigs Have Gone CRAZY! More (Possible) Perks for Season Ticket Holders |

Have you ever been to “Fan Appreciation Day?” It’s the last home game of the season, and usually there are some special items for free auction and other little things going on around the park. Also, in the 5th or 6th inning, a cartoon caricature of Food and Beverage Director Alex Rivera appears on the screen. Tim announces over the PA system that Alex has “gone crazy” and discounted select concession items (you know, the ones that won’t keep until next season…) 40-50% for the remainder of the game. Everyone jumps in line for food! It’s great!

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I was reminded of that yesterday when news broke about another new perk for IronPigs Season Ticket Holders: “Terrific 26: 26 Prizes in 26 Days.” Season ticket holders with 18- 36- or 72-game plans, paid in full by February 17, 9AM, will automatically receive one (1) entry per account into a random drawing for the prizes. The prizes are not insignificant. I’ll review them below, but let’s just say we’re not talking about leftover salt and pepper shakers over here. There are some items of real value and some items of significant uniqueness.

Of course, I did find some problems with this promotion. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great–I know I’ll be checking my phone 100 times each of those days to see if I’ve won. But here are two things:

Not Everybody Wins: There are way more than 26 Season Ticket Holders, so for the non-winners there’s a real chance that this promotion equals zero. I know, I know, not every kid should get a trophy at the end of the season. It’s not a “contest” if everybody wins. But I’ve never been terribly lucky about winning these types of things, so perhaps that has me jaded a bit.
The Entries Aren’t Exactly Fair: It’s one entry per account. So if you have one 18-game field level seat on your account (street value: $180) you receive one ticket in the raffle. I have SIX club level seats (street value: <<deleted to protect me from Mrs. Kram>>) on my account, and I get the same entry. Just saying. I know a guy who has 10 full-season tickets on his account. He gets the same entry, too. Perhaps it should be one entry per game ticket. 18 entries for that theoretical field-level 18-game plan holder, and 360 for me, and 720 for my buddy with ten seats. Have the tech staff write a computer program to keep track of it all. It can’t be that hard.

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But I quibble; lets get on to the prizes. Below, I’m going to rate them on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most valuable. For value I’m going to consider monetary value, practicality and usefulness, reproducibility, and sentimental value. These are my own opinions and do not reflect those of the group. Add your own in the comments if you want. No wagering.

Some prizes repeat during the 26 days, so I’ll group them with the dates listed:

2014 Team Autographed Baseball February 17 This item receives high marks for sentimental value and would be difficult to reproduce (you can win them in other raffles, or have one done as part of autograph day) but has low monetary value and practicality. Score: 6
First Pitch + Personalized Replica Jersey February 18, 27, March 7 Three folks will win this. The first pitch is for a “game of your choice” which I suppose means one in your plan because there’s no mention of additional tickets. A personalized replica jersey can be made in the Majestic Clubhouse Store for $110-$130 or so. This prize contains some monetary, and sentimental value, but the jersey could be reproduced. Score: 7
$150 IronPigs Gift Card February 19, 26, March 3, 9 Four different times. I assume the gift card could be used for additional tickets, concessions, or in the Store. You could probably use it to help purchase a parking pass (see below). You could easily use it to purchase a personalized jersey (see above.) This prize gets high marks for monetary value and practicality. Score: 8
Free General Parking for the Entire Season February 20, March 5 For two folks. This might be very valuable. It depends on the number of games you get to, but if a full-season ticket winner gets it, it could be as much as $216 or more. [3×72 side note: rumors persist about parking going to $4–no confirmation or source] still, it could be less for a lesser-ticket holder. It has high practicality rating, and the potential for very high monetary value. Not as much sentimental value. And some already have a parking pass either provided or paid for. But, some folks would be VERY happy with this. Score: 7
Free Table of 8 on the PPL Picnic Patio February 21, March 6, 10 Three times. This does have some monetary value as I believe those seats go for $27 each. It includes an all-you-can-eat buffet with free soft drinks. It’s not terribly unique, and “mutually agreeable date” tells me some dates may be blacked out. It has less use for someone who already has full season tickets and multiple seats. Score: 5
Signed Bat and Replica Jersey for Player of Choice February 22, March 8 Just twice, but this is a nice one. Certainly the replica jersey could be reproduced, but at a price. The bat would be hard to come by. And YOU get to choose the player. High marks across the board. Score: 8
Free Promotional Pack (includes all promo items) February 23, March 4, 11 Three times. This prize does have some monetary value as these packs are available for $150 to full-season ticket holders prior to the season. Five-year plan folks get them gratis. But, for others, some value, and practicality: You won’t have to get to all the games, you get the kiddo prizes without a kiddo, and you don’t have to come exceedingly early. Less value for club-level ticket holders and those who care nothing for giveaways. Score: 7
2014 Team Autographed Bat February 24 Only one of these to be given away. High level of uniqueness as with the ball, above, but bats are more expensive. Difficult to reproduce. High sentimental value, moderate monetary value, low practicality. Score: 7
You and Three Friends Watch the Fireworks from the Dugout February 25 Just once. Perhaps a unique experience and not reproducible. Low monetary value, and I’m not sure the dugout is the best place to watch the fireworks–you can see them from everywhere. I suppose there is a chance a player or two comes out and watches with you. But I doubt it. Score: 3
One Inning in the IronPigs Radio Booth February 28 Just once again. This is also unique and not reproducible–more so because the radio booth is not otherwise accessible. I suppose some wouldn’t want to be on the radio and would prefer a more passive prize. Low monetary value and practicality, but very high on uniqueness. Score: 7
One Hour Batting Practice/Field Access for You and NINE Friends (non-game day) March 1 Just once of course. This is very unique and a once-in-a-lifetime chance, really. Plus, even if you’re not one to PLAY the game, bring nine family members and kids and whatnot and have a good old time. Take pictures and hang out. Low monetary value, but very high for all else. Score: 9
2014 Team Autographed Replica Jersey March 2 Just once again. See team autographed ball and bat above. I suppose the jersey is more valuable monetarily, and slightly more practical because you could wear it if you wanted. Score: 7
The Ultimate IronPigs Experience March 12,13 If you haven’t won, coming down to the last three days, here’s two shots at a pretty unique and valuable prize: First Pitch, Personalized Replica Jersey, Hat, Ballpark Tour, Watch Batting Practice from on the Field, Watch an inning from the Press Box, Four Front Row Seats, Ballpark Credit. This has some monetary value with the jersey, hat, tickets, and ballpark credit. Uniqueness and sentimental value are added with some of the other experiences included here. Some of it is somewhat reproducible, and the four front-row seats may have varying value. Overall a very, very nice prize. Score: 9
Phillies Experience: Four Diamond Club Tickets and Limo Ride to Game March 14 What a way to cap off the promotion! Diamond Club seats are very expensive and difficult to come by. The limo ride is also of value for a relaxing day at the park (note: it doesn’t say limo ride HOME, which I assume, but could be awkward if not…) Monetary value off the chart, some great memories perhaps which adds to sentimental value. Is reproducible with enough cash, but not something any of us will probably ever do. Score: 10

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So there you have it. Which prize would you pick if you could pick one? Which one would you least like. You can tell my feelings from the scores above, even though I tried to consider all points of view.

So, go pay the balance on your ticket plan! Buy a plan if you haven’t already (no need to upgrade…) Get entered! (or, wait a minute, I’ll have a better chance if you don’t. Nevermind. 😉 )

Hey, is that why they’re doing this? To get us to pay our bills on time?

Nah. They’re crazy. And they love us.

Go Pigs!

@Kram209