BART Lot Cheapskates, Unite!

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 18, 2005 2:00 PM PDT Comment 40 comments

I've been noticing a marked decline in the quantity and quality of the crowd that hangs out in the BART lot before weeknight games. Last season we set several all-time BART Lot Cheapskates attendance records, with as many as several dozen BLCs sipping Pabst, eating pizza, and listening to the pregame show while leaning against various primered-out BLC-approved heaps. Sadly, it looks like many ex-BLCs have sold out to The Man this year, joining the Daddy Warbucks crowd in the $14 lot while the true BART Lot faithful pine away from loneliness, our only companions the BART commuters heading home and the occasional semi-cheap A's fan heading straight from car to ballpark.
Therefore, what we need is a quasi-organized BART Lot Cheapskates Pregame Party. So here's the deal: The August 10th game features $2 tickets, good weather (probably), and a hated division rival. Any prospective Cheapskates should show up at 5:00 PM in the northwest corner of the BART lot (the area closest to the intersection of 69th and Snell). A few simple rules:

You must arrive via BART or in a car worth less than $2000. Check here if you're not sure your car meets this standard. Bonus points if your car has more than one color of primer.
You must bring inexpensive food and drink. Safeway generic cola or Milwaukee's Best beer combined with a San Jose Taqueria burrito = thumbs up. If you cook a can of pork-n-beans over a sterno stove, Grapes Of Wrath style, you get bonus points.
You must not whine if Something Bad happens to your car while you're in the game. Well, you can whine, but not to me.
You must be cool with the BART cops if they come around to check us out, which means showing respect and making their job easy. They will be very reasonable provided nobody is being rowdy, making a mess, or flaunting alcohol consumption (i.e., no transmission-funnel beerbongs or smashing empties against parked cars).

This is the extent to which I am willing to "organize" this thing. I'll be the guy with the bronze ex-cop Crown Victoria. See you there!

Poll

How do you rate on the Cheapskate-O-Meter?

Bud Selig's Dream: Helicopter taxi to ballpark, Diamond Level seats (including empty seats on either side, to prevent elbow-rubbing with riffraff), private caterer, $100 bill given to umpire for each "truly objective" pro-A's call (just kidding,

1 votes

The Human Seagull: Hitchhike to the game, climb the fence into the ballpark, and eat food I find under seats. Bruises from missed foul balls my only souvenirs.

2 votes

Pretty Damn Cheap: Ride BART or park in BART lot, discount View Level tickets, chug numerous low-end beers in parking lot, bring my own food into ballpark. Buy a shirt or cap on extremely rare occasions.

51 votes

Vaguely Frugal But Not Sacrificing Anything: Park in pay lot, halfway-decent second-deck seats, concession hot dogs and beer, souvenirs within reason.

19 votes

No Corners Cut: Pay lot, great seats, unlimited food/drink budget, the whole gamut of souvenirs (including weird stuff like the Rivercats Drinking Game Shotglass Set).

8 votes

81 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 40 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I fall in the middle

I park in the BART lot, but head straight into the game, often to good seats downstairs. I'll have a beer or two at the game, maybe a dog or pretzel, and usually bring some other snacks in with me - peanuts, popcorn, chex mix, etc. And I'll gladly check out any sale merchandise in the souvenir shop on the way out.

by DickWilliams on Jul 18, 2005 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I will admit that since I found out that I can get

Half off parking through the season ticket office I have been parking in the Lot nearly every game for a couple of months.

Although, Francis, A's fan Allie, The Duke of Left Field and I shared some Miller Lite and a burritos from Tacos Zamorano in he BART lot on Saturday.

by saint on Jul 18, 2005 2:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If Taco Zamorano is too crowded....

...don't hestitate to try the taco wagon in the parking lot.
It isn't as good as the Zamarano wagon that used to be there (& which I think is now further down East 14th Street) but still very good & very cheap.

by Batgal on Jul 18, 2005 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say I'm pretty cheap

I always take BART to the game, and I try to stay frugal with the food. However, Beer is a problem for me. If I dome a bunch of beer in the parking lot and get drunk before the game it usually turns into the tip of the iceberg, I get fired up to drink more, and spend just as much at the Corona stand as I would have anyway.

by jmoney on Jul 18, 2005 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The roach coach at Pick-N-Pull is good

No, really, it is good- don't let its location in a junkyard parking lot fool you. Very close to the ballpark (San Leandro St at 85th Ave). However, I work in Berkeley, so I usually get my pregame burritos near the office, at Las Palmas Taqueria on College Ave.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 18, 2005 2:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I bring my own dogs ...

... and dress 'em with the free stadium condiments.

Remember, sauerkraut by definition can't go bad!

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 18, 2005 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Question for other cheapskates

I've heard that it is pretty easy to buy a $10 View level or $9 bleachers ticket and then move down to sit in the good seats.

However, the few times I've tried to do this I've been severly busted by the ushers, who ask to see my ticket and then kick me back upstairs.

Another tactic I tried was sneaking into the 1st deck past the ushers while I thought they weren't paying attention. But somehow they managed to figure out that I didn't belong there and sent me packing.

I heard that mid-week games against the likes of Detroit and Seattle offer the best chances of staying downstairs.

Anyone have advice on Bob Uecker techniques?

by BruceBochte on Jul 18, 2005 3:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The usher in 106 is really nice...

Especially if you're a girl (or with a girl) who is willing to be nice to him. I'm a goody-goody, though, and usually pay for my seats anyway.

by LD on Jul 18, 2005 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bring a cute kid.

Not that I'd admit to this, of course.

"Yucky Head Bad Guy!" - my 5-year-old daughter to Manny Ramirez. She got ice cream immediately afterward.

by DMtShooter on Jul 18, 2005 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they guard the mvp seats

but after the 3rd or 4th inning you should be able to move to field level, especially on weeknights.

by captainamerica on Jul 18, 2005 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Section 130 row 22 works for me usually...

But, I am always always with a cute kid...

by saint on Jul 18, 2005 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't get greedy

sit in the plaza level until you learn the ropes.

A couple of tips for the second deck - never sit on the aisle, never sit in the first row (they don't usually sell those tickets), pick a section that is 1/2-2/3 full at game time. Pick your seat out as you're walking, make a point at looking at the section number. Be decisive.

Once you're comfortable with that, start moving down to field level in the middle of the game. As you get more comfortable, start experimenting with going down earlier. Act casual, don't rush. Continue to avoid aisle seats and always sit in sections that are fairly full.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 18, 2005 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great tips Devo...

He is correct...Always sit in a section that is almost 2/3, but not more than 3/4 full. That way if someone does come for thier seats they won't mind sitting next to you. If the section is full you will get the boot because they will want thier seats.

Also, the worst move is when you sit in group of seats that noone has sat in for 4 innings. You are a sitting duck.

by saint on Jul 18, 2005 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greedy...

Problem is I am on a fixed income and, man, once you've sat in field level, 2nd deck will just not cut it. I love being able to SEE the break on Zito's bender and the harsh slice on King Richard's cutter. But, of course, I am in no financial position to pony up $28 for baseball tix.

So, I really need to be able to sit in Field level on the cheap, so additional tips for those choice seats would be appreciated!

Also, what is the deal the $4 tix?

by BruceBochte on Jul 18, 2005 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's really about feel

I don't have a whole lot of extra tips beyond that.

At least starting out, I'd just go ahead and write off the first two innings. Find a nice plaza seat and enjoy the dinner you brought with you to the game.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 18, 2005 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bleachers

The bleachers nearest to CF give a great view of pitching. Not as good as the old days, but the closest you can get to looking over the pitchers shoulder. There's a reason TV uses that camera angle.......

As for sneaking down, a hand full of food, and the attitude that you belong is the only ticket you need.......

by BleacherDave on Jul 19, 2005 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

now if I could only

equip my eye with a super zoom lens.

The next time I slap a guy's ass, can we all just assume it's because I wish I was a baseball player?

by devo on Jul 19, 2005 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plenty of ways to upgrade

But ain't no way anyone is sharing their real upgrading tips. You must learn them the hard way.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 18, 2005 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aww, come on now...

What's up with bogarding the upgrading tips?

by BruceBochte on Jul 18, 2005 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Must be in the front row!

Wow, great tips. Thanks for those.

Any advice on getting past the ushers whose primary calling in life seems to be to enforce scarcity between, say, sections 108 and 124?

by BruceBochte on Jul 18, 2005 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

walk down section 105 until you reach the:

Barrier between the first and second tier of field level...I'll leave the rest up to your instinct and imagination...

by saint on Jul 18, 2005 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so funny

that was the best poll i've read in a long while. 'pretty damn cheap' perfectly describes me. drive from cv down san leandro and park in the bart lot, walk across the bridge, and chug keystone light in the parking lot. dollar mcchickens in pocket as i walk it. $4 view level seats with pepsi can, but move down into the second deck. this is the only way that this poor college bum could have already attended 23 games!

by KEVINfromCV on Jul 18, 2005 3:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm cheap myself...

I usually park at Bay Fair BART in San Leandro and BART up.

I bring all my own food in too.

I sneak beer in too. This can be done pretty easily. I usually duct tape two or three cans to the inside of my jacket. The security guards outside that check your bags have no idea.

by uci anteater on Jul 18, 2005 3:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

forgot to say...

I forgot to say that I bring in the $4 Pepsi cans.
If they aren't in sections 316, 317 or 318 I usually sneak into the Plaza Level. Sneaking into the Plaza Level seats (especially the Plaza Level Outfield) is easy. To lessen your chance of getting caught I advice that you enter through the Plaza Level Concourse (the concourse in between the 2nd and 3rd decks) and make your way down.

by uci anteater on Jul 18, 2005 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm an Anteater too, by the way

UCI, Class of '90. I was on the campus a few months back didn't even recognize the place- must be 3 times bigger now.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 19, 2005 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beer smuggling tips deserve their own diary

Tip of the Day: Grab some empty A's cups, wash them, and bring one to the next game in your backpack. Pour your smuggled beer into the cup while keeping the can out of sight in the backpack. That way you won't be spotted guzzling directly out of a foaming 24-ounce Master Cylinder Schlitz Blue Bull, which looks pretty obvious.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 19, 2005 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm pretty cheap..

but i will throw down for some choice seats every week or so... that said, i always bring in my own food so i don't have to stand in line and miss the game. seriously, I'd rather have seeds and gatorade for dinner than spend 3 innings in a consession line. same goes with the beer...i either do the pre-game thing or no beer at all....this way much less time is spent going to/from the bathroom. and I almost never park in the pay lot...i either park at BART, skate, or take the bus. that's right.

my only weakness is the New Era hat stand behind sec 115. so. many. hats.

but the 10th sounds good for a BART lot pow-wow...

by high street on Jul 18, 2005 3:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I Got busted by the cops

Drinking thier and now I am afraid to go back!!!

by novaoakland on Jul 18, 2005 3:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously busted, or just asked to leave?

Usually the BART cops are OK with beer drinking if you're not too obvious about it and you clean up your empties. They have bigger things to worry about than well-behaved A's fans with beer.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 18, 2005 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I am only 12

Just kidding no they kicked us out and suggested we go the colsesium parking.

They were nice about it.

by novaoakland on Jul 18, 2005 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cheap maybe, but

I'd also like to think I'm practical.....I always take BART (convenient) and always sit in the bleachers (love the crowd/view/flexibility) and often bring in food (ok, sort of a food snob). But I also always buy 2 beers in the park. I can't be bothered with smuggling them in, and enjoy them too much during the game to only drink beforehand.

by NicoleG on Jul 18, 2005 4:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I fake my own press pass

and bring my own radar gun. Then I just walk down into the Diamond Level seats, acting like I own the place, and say I'm a scout from the Royals. Most people hardly finish their food down there because it's included in the price, so I do a little dumpster diving for dinner. I stuff a boda bag full of cheap wine inside my underwear and run the hose up through my shirt. Every time I want a drink I just do a handstand or pretend I'm stretching by doing some power squats. You'd have thought they'd caught on by now!

Picker of Nits since '63. Or so I thought until I discovered AN. Now I feel like a nitpiker.

by McFood on Jul 18, 2005 5:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We'll eat at Nations before the game

and pay in the lot. Unless it's like a Yankees game and you can't get near it. Then I'll drop everyone off and hike from Alameda(or wherever I wind up.

I did the BART lot thing years ago, is it still safe?

by Rob on Jul 18, 2005 5:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BART Lot

The BART lot is fine. I've parked there a couple of thousand times (I take BART to work from the Coliseum). I've had my car broken into once in that time and the idiot broen the passenger window but took none of the money in the car. I've had no problems since I got a "Club".

by skwid on Jul 18, 2005 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Had one car stolen from the BART lot

But that was in 2000 (it was a Rangers game, as I recall) and I got the car back a couple months later. It seems that the BART cops are doing a better job of preventing car theft/break-ins in recent years.

"You can throw your cocks if I don't care!" - Iggy Pop

by AlamedaAphid on Jul 19, 2005 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I park in the overflow lot

across the freeway. Never done the BART lot thing.

And I usually give myself an upgrade in the left field area.

by As Man on Jul 18, 2005 9:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I refuse...

To park in the lot!

Everytime I've parked there something bad has happened to my antenna ball!
I've gone through two Jack in the Box A's Jack heads and one Raider Jack head.

Boooo.

Game over, man!

by Badd Blood on Jul 18, 2005 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

long live BART!!!

i'm a relative cheapskate. i take BART (who the hell pays for parking??) even though i live on the peninsula (it was so much more convenient when i lived in Fremont).

i usually get MVP or field level seats, though. i'm a seat snob. i like to be able to see the players and the plays up close and personal. but i don't believe in the mantra of some faux fans that if you can't get good seats, you might as well watch it on tv. i mean, i suppose if the only seats i could get were in the last row of the third deck, then i'd watch it on tv, but i much prefer the whole atmosphere of being at the game.

foodwise, it depends. i try to eat before i go, or something, but if i have to get food at the park, i'll buy it before the game, and i'll get whatever's cheapest.

"...the plate won't move. The mound is going to feel the same. The strike zone, with slight variations, is going to be right where it has always been." -Huston

by sabriel on Jul 19, 2005 10:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

THAT'S why there are always people in my seat...

I'm reading all your tips on how to move up, and realizing that it's all of you that keep stealing my seat!!! *sigh* Next time I show up and someone is in my seat, I'll ask for their username... ;)

I think someone briefly mentioned it, but don't sit in the first row of the second deck behind home plate (216-218). They don't sell those seats for many games (weekdays, some weekends), and the ushers know when they aren't sold, so that's the quickest way to call attention to yourself. Also, once you've been kicked out of a section once, don't go back to the same section. That's just plain dumb. ;)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jul 19, 2005 12:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs