Third deck article in Chron

by vk on Nov 11, 2005 7:26 AM PST

Slusser's story is here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/11/11/SPG5OFMNIL1.DTL

1) The A's are definitely downplaying the idea that tickets won't be sold in the 3rd deck, even though they aren't denying it's a possibility. That may have something to do with the reaction they got here and on other blogs; they may be rethinking it, at least for Giants, Yankees, Red Sox games.

2) If they did it, the capacity would be 34,176, just about where they want it in the new stadium. That leads me to believe they do want to do it.

3) The argument that 3rd deck season ticketholders weren't happy because of all the kids on Double Play Wednesdays... doesn't seem like a real reason they did this.

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some odd comments in this article

"We've had a lot of complaints about the service up there and we're trying to do some things to make the fan experience better,'' said David Alioto, the A's vice president of sales and marketing.
(I wonder what people were complaining about. The only thing I can think of is the limited concessionary operation (often closed entirely)).

"There are about 120 (season-ticket holders) up there and most are 20-game plans, so we're not talking about a large number of people who are affected.''
(Hard to believe there's only 120 of us)!

Alioto said that the fate of the third deck for single-game ticket sales has not yet been decided but that "Double-Play Wednesdays'' will remain in effect.
(How can they have "Double-Play Wednesdays" without upper deck seating)?

"It would be premature to talk about it," Alioto said of a potential third-deck closure.
(WHAT??? Isn't that exactly what they're doing in the article)?

In addition, new owner Lewis Wolff has proposed a new stadium with a capacity of 35,000, so decreasing the Coliseum's baseball capacity might serve as a trial run for such a venture.
(Ahhh... the crux of the biscuit).

"Double-Play Wednesdays" are one reason season tickets are being scrapped for the third deck -- fans with ticket plans complained that the level was swamped with kids those dates. They also were unhappy that, when the third-deck wasn't full, the concessions on that level were shut down and security decreased.
(The Kids are Alright, let the little children come to me... what's wrong with kids, fer chrissake? My biggest concern beyond paying more for my ticket is that kids might get priced out by this change The kids are the next decade's Ohads and GreenandGoldGirls - exactly the kind of fans the A's need to cultivate to ultimately stay in Oakland).

by Brian in 317 on Nov 11, 2005 8:42 AM PST reply actions

I'd say the kids are this decade's

Ohad and GnGG ... they really young ones don't annoy anybody ... heck, the only ones that are annoying are at least their age already. The most annoying ones tend to be in the 17-20 range.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 11, 2005 8:59 AM PST up reply actions

no, the most annoying ones...

are the kids who are about 1-3 years old and scream and/or cry the entire game... and happen to be sitting right next to you.. in a crowded airplane...

... TimeLine? Time is not made out of Lines! It is made out of Circles. That is why Clocks are Round!!!...

by Zonis on Nov 11, 2005 9:04 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah ... plus the view is terrible.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 11, 2005 9:27 AM PST up reply actions

FYI

You get that in row 1 too! =l

"If I'm not having fun, then I am not playing well" ~Bobby Crosby

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Nov 11, 2005 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

Hey, they didn't contact me ...

I'm one of the 120 third deck season ticket holders out there.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 11, 2005 9:01 AM PST reply actions

they just haven't gotten to you yet

at least that's my guess.

by Brian in 317 on Nov 11, 2005 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

They called me an hour ago ...

you're right.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 11, 2005 12:16 PM PST up reply actions

The complaints of 120 fans?

Whatever else may motivate this move, it ain't that. Alioto starts by saying it's not many people (120 fans mostly on 20 game plans) and closes by citing the complaints of that group as a factor. The complaints that there are too many other people up there! C'mon.

Seems to me like this news broke before the party line was thought through.

Beat the Angles (they're obtuse!)

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 11, 2005 9:13 AM PST reply actions

Response to my E-mail complaining about this

Hi Cathy,
At this point we are not selling season tickets in the 3rd deck because we were unable to provide a very positive fan experience. The bleachers or Plaza Level Outfield are similar in price.

Adam Clar
Account Executive
Oakland Athletics Baseball Company
(510) 563-2350
aclar@oaklandathletics.com

by EgolikeRickey on Nov 11, 2005 9:49 AM PST reply actions

when I sat in the third deck

I would go to the second and even first decks if there was something in concessions that I wanted. it was never a problem for me.

by OaklandSi on Nov 11, 2005 10:55 AM PST reply actions

Plaza Bleachers

What I dont understand is why the Plaza Bleachers will be open for all the games. They're worse seats than the 3rd deck.

by Zitofan15 on Nov 11, 2005 11:08 AM PST reply actions

possible explanations

operational: Cutting the View level saves on concessions stands and security, cutting the Plaza Bleachers doesn't (well, maybe a little xtra security). pricing: You can keep a low-priced Plaza Bleacher ticket and it won't really draw anyone away who would have bought a View level ticket, because the seats are so much worse. capacity: If you closed both sections, the capacity would be the lowest in MLB, even smaller than Fenway. Not sure the A's quite want to go there.

by vk on Nov 11, 2005 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

In Dubious Battle

Say you're unhappy with the Third Deck closure. Doesn't really matter why you feel this way...total cost/fewer games for you, vantage-to-dollar ratio, loss of leg room, kids miss out, crowded concourse concessions, shock at a plot so devious it clearly sprung from a Bohemian Grove gathering where Karl Rove, George Soros and Arsenio Hall had Lew Wolff ferried by black helicopter to tell him what's what....

In any case, voice this dismay to those who might heed it. The A's party line at the moment is that nothing's a done deal yet. Taking them at their word:

A's Ticket Services: 510-568-5600, or tickets@athletics.mlb.com
A's Executive Offices: 510-638-4900
Or snailmail to 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, 94621
(Mailing address also for playoff ticket refunds...I got my check from the Athletics Investment Group LLC in the mail just yesterday!)

Democracy in action. I feel all Schoolhouse Rock-y. And may a thousand schools of thought flourish...calls and letters from the pro-closure crowd would I'm sure be equally valued by the A's. Heck, they may even accept credit card donations!

Beat the Angles (they're obtuse!)

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Nov 11, 2005 11:34 AM PST reply actions