Why are the selling Standing Room Only Tickets?

by BaseballDiva on Sep 28, 2006 6:27 PM PDT

For us die-hard fans and season ticket holders, it's great that the ALDS is a sell-out performance.

But Standing Room Only?

Is this fair to all attendees?

And where is Standing Room Only? Near the bleachers or behind the field level sections. I've seen it in other parks but I'm having trouble picturing this in Oakland.

Should they (can they?) open the top level?

Seems silly and a waste of good seating only to have people standing around.

Poll

Should they open the 3rd Deck?

Let's move the games to SBC Park

14 votes

Yes, let them have seats

53 votes

No, I like people shouting behind my section

17 votes

84 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

SRO

Isn't really behind anyone's section.

by gdubb925 on Sep 28, 2006 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

It is on the Plaza level between the plaza reserved entrance and the plaza outfield area. It is the place where the American flag is (and the Cali flag on the other side). Real waste of money because only the people in the front can see anything...

by ryder1650 on Sep 28, 2006 6:51 PM PDT reply actions

isnt it where

they have the people on friday go for trying to win GM cars

by smasfan on Sep 28, 2006 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions

it's the place

where robert buan jumps up and down during friday night home games....during the car raffle anyway.

by arch on Sep 28, 2006 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Also

From what the email said that went out about SRO tickets, they also include the Westside Club as a standing room only area. Otherwise, there is no way they could sell 1,000 of those tickets for sure.

Anyway, it's not the first time they have sold SRO tickets. I believe the Giants game where Barroid hit the homah had SROs, and there was another one recently, I believe....

"Folding chair. Right to the base of the HR guy's spine. Incapacitates a man in seconds. Next question." --Catfish Stew

by tankerraid on Sep 29, 2006 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions

They won't open the 3rd deck...

They've said all along they won't, it's also been said here that MLB rules might prohibit it at this point (although I'm not sure if that's accurate), but the bottom line is that the Oakland Coliseum, for baseball, is now a 34,077 seat venue -- with an extra 1000 SRO tickets occasionally sold for important games.

For the 800,000,000,000,000,000,000th time... consider the third deck gone, and move on.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 28, 2006 6:57 PM PDT reply actions

exactly

get over it, move one with your lives.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 28, 2006 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Poppy

Do you think they will open the 3rd deck?

"VORP? Not a clue what that is. But if it's good, I'll take it!"

-Nick Swisher

by kaweahkaweah on Sep 28, 2006 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes.

I just read: Fans who are willing to arrive before sunrise and remove the tarps are invited to sit in the 3rd deck for free.

Here's the link.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 28, 2006 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

i fell for it lol

by smasfan on Sep 28, 2006 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

That's a shame.

I was going to fly to Oakland just to sit in the third deck. Lew just lost out on my eight dollars.

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Sep 28, 2006 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

You can still sit there.

You just might miss the end of the game, is all.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Sep 28, 2006 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the SRO fans should stand on tha tarps

If it is a hot day they can route hoses up to them to create water slides.

If your seat is on the lower level and seems like it's raining consider moving under the decks.

Quickly!

It is rumored that the SRO tickets will also have a new Bungi Cord option.

<It's worth it! The Wave will never be the same>

"Must be the front r-o-o-o-o-o-o-w!"

by A s Eh on Sep 28, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Excellent!

My seats are in the 12th row of Plaza level, so they're slightly under the overhang. I'll be able to watch all the plummeting right in front of me, while still staying dry!

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 29, 2006 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions

The 3rd Deck MIGHT be opened

for the Championship Series and World Series.

But in all honesty, that would ONLY happen if they play the Yankees or Mets.

by Zonis on Sep 28, 2006 7:03 PM PDT reply actions

Where'd you hear that?

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 28, 2006 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

link

Although A's owner Lew Wolff is on record saying the A's will keep the third deck tarped throughout the postseason, Major League Baseball officials could intercede if the team reaches the World Series and wants to increase seating capacity.

The A's received permission from baseball to have the tarps covered for any possible games in the American League Division Series.

"At least the division series and League Championship Series it wouldn't be a problem," said baseball vice president Katy Feeney. "The World Series might be a slightly different matter." Feeney said commissioner Bud Selig and president Bob DuPuy would ultimately make the final decision.

link

by gotgreen on Sep 29, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

What are you, a scout? ;)

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 29, 2006 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

The tarps

will not come off for the LCS or WS.

by OaklandA23 on Sep 29, 2006 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Not in the LDS, only the WS, the league can force

them to

by theblackpearl on Sep 28, 2006 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions

He made it up

obviously, who is he a fucking scout? Anyways Go A's

"The are only two places in this league. First place and no place." -Tom Seaver

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Sep 28, 2006 7:27 PM PDT reply actions

Sheesh, dial the hostility down a few notches!

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Sep 28, 2006 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude

obviously had a rough day.

by Cal 2001 on Sep 28, 2006 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions

actually i had a great day

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

"The are only two places in this league. First place and no place." -Tom Seaver

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Sep 28, 2006 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

You are either Oaktoon....

a troll....
a disgruntled person of Greek origin....
or a disgruntled frat/sorority member...
which is it?
this is the second outburst that I have seen from you today.....what gives?

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Sep 28, 2006 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions

try Immature.

by Amnesiac727 on Sep 28, 2006 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Look at his info....

Link to his myspace. He is 16, we've all been there and been through that phase. I guess we should cut him some slack.

by Cal 2001 on Sep 29, 2006 7:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Could be younger ...

you have to "be" 16 to use MySpace just like I had to "be" 21 to peruse certain more entertaining areas of the internet when I was 16 ... there are a ton of kids on there who say they're 16 but are really less.

Another project of Devo's

by devo on Sep 29, 2006 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

so you need scouts,

to make decisions on tarps now?!?

by arch on Sep 28, 2006 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions

so do you need scouts?!?

to get a life?

"The are only two places in this league. First place and no place." -Tom Seaver

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Sep 28, 2006 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

so do you need scouts?!?

to get a life?

"The are only two places in this league. First place and no place." -Tom Seaver

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Sep 28, 2006 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions

lol greek.

im not alone in my suspicion of you being oaktoon :)

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Devyn on Sep 29, 2006 4:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Oaktoon

is much more articulate. Maybe the offspring of Oaktoon?

by Cal 2001 on Sep 29, 2006 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

You know what would be fun

How about if you create a new screen name...and we'll see how long it takes to guess that you are 16 again.

Seriously, when I was 16, everyone on the internet thought I was an adult. Try acting like one. No need to let hostility out here for no reason.

by SeanR on Sep 29, 2006 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

thats great

what do you want? a hug?

"The are only two places in this league. First place and no place." -Tom Seaver

by greekpride08 @ Athletics Nation on Sep 29, 2006 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

SRO

Standing room only is in the plaza level behind the bleachers. It doesn't affect anyone by having people yelling from behind their section.

I think I am in the minority, but I like the Coliseum with the third deck closed. I have been to only a handful of games this year, but in each it has definately felt more "full" as a result.

2 of the games I went to were the Royals and Diamond backs... there was maybe 17,000 at those games. I have been to games with 17,000 in the old configuration and the fact that it was spread across 3 decks made it feel pretty empty.

www.myspace.com/jeffaugust

by jeffro on Sep 28, 2006 8:38 PM PDT reply actions

One good thing about the 3rd deck

It was the place for the Diamondvision crew to go if they wanted to catch a pair of young lovers rounding third and heading for home...

"I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team." ~ Connie Mack

by Flyin As on Sep 28, 2006 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions

what happened to the hammer crew?

"If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with all her teeth out." - George Brett

by burnone on Sep 28, 2006 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

i like the 3rd deck closed also

if people don't want to stand around during the playoffs, they can buy their postseason tix early! =P

by gotgreen on Sep 28, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

34,000 instead of 55,000 = 21,000 empty seats

If the A's should go the distance:

DCS = 42,000 tickets/seats
LCS = 42,000 - 63,000 tickets/seats
WS = 42,000 - 84,000 tickets/seats

Anyone have the dollar amounts to tag onto those empty seats?

I am curious as to how much the A's are willing to, excuse me!, going to lose...

What happens to the A's tarps when the Raiders play or when there is a concert?

"Must be the front r-o-o-o-o-o-o-w!"

by A s Eh on Sep 28, 2006 11:14 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think they would sell out the DCS

if they took off the tarps. Didn't happen last time we played a non-Boston/New York team...

The tarps WILL come off in a World Series. Seligula will make them do it.

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Sep 29, 2006 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions

tarp strategy = make money

who bought season tickets so they could see their beloved a's in the playoffs. assuming 1500 extra people bought season tickets bc of the limited seating arrangement for the playoffs, that would be 100,000 extra tickets sold. keep in mind, people are likely to buy these whether or not we make it pass the first round.

also, only a small fraction of income from playoff games goes to the owners. the majority of it goes to a big pot that's shared by MLB. so the a's probably stand to gain a good amount of money from putting on the tarps, even if you assume my 1500 ticket estimate is a little high (which it maybe is).

Also, do you really think that we would sell 55K for every playoff game? considering that we've reached that mark, oh, say, like twice in the history of our franchise?

when the raiders play or there is a concert, they take the tarps off. this is pretty obvious but...you asked.

lew wolff and bb didn't get where they are without having some sort of business savvy. many small-market teams are currently trying to limit their stadium capacity.

by Nick86 on Sep 28, 2006 11:33 PM PDT reply actions

Finally,

someone who knows what he's talking about. Bottom line: the A's stand to make a lot more money compared to last year. That will only help Lew put out a good product for years to come.

The player's union is killing baseball.

by SoCal Rebel on Sep 28, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions

on 55k

we'd get that if we're playing the Yankees (and many many would be cheering for them), but neither the Twins nor the CSox would sell out the upper deck. If we make it to the WS, it doesn't matter who we play, we'd sell out easy.

No matter who profits from the upper deck closure, the bottom line for me is it keeps fans from seeing games. A colleague of mine was upset yesterday to find out he won't be able to buy a ticket to the Divisional series. Yeah, he should have been more on the ball, but lots of people are going to be excluded, when the seats are only artificially unavailable. You can argue all you want about the fiscal logic, but that's the part of it that's consistently bummed me out about the tarping.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 29, 2006 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Brian, you seem like a really smart guy...

...but you continually let your emotions about this issue prevent you from seeing all the logic. If your buddy is that big a fan, why doesn't he just buy Season Tickets? If the answer is because he can't afford them, sorry, the A's don't want him. It's cold, it' calculating....it's also true.

Sorry

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Sep 29, 2006 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

People can still get tix

There's the resale amrket, like Craigslist, Stubhub, Ebay, etc...

Will you pay more? Yeah. But that's why people should pay more attention to their team and get tix right away.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Sep 29, 2006 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

if you're his friend

you might have told him to get his tickets when they first went on sale. he wouldn't have had any problems getting them.
the downside would be that you would have less to complain about.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 29, 2006 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I did warn him

and everybody else, so I'm aware that he only has himself to blame for not getting tickets.

But please don't reduce my attitude about this situation to searching for "something to complain about". That's really not fair. I just feel bad for the fans who would like to, but won't get to see the games.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 29, 2006 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

i'm glad you recognize that

sorry, i was just being a smartass, but i understand your point.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 29, 2006 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions

we've gone over this before

But less fans watching the playoffs this year may mean more fans watching the regular season games next year. It is sad that less fans will be able to see playoff games, but you can't blame the A's for trying to maximize their profit.

by Nick86 on Sep 29, 2006 8:51 AM PDT reply actions

exactly correct

More Season Ticket base if people get shut out of playoff games.

Hard work never hurt anyone, but I'm not taking any chances.

by Alameda Greg on Sep 29, 2006 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

by the way

all SRO tix for the ALDS sold out yesterday!

by gotgreen on Sep 29, 2006 8:56 AM PDT reply actions

WOW.

Way to sack up and buy tickets, Oakland! I was terrified we were going to hear ESPN pontificate about how we can't sell out our stadium...

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Sep 29, 2006 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, now we can

See, there's thing thing with the tarps....

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Sep 29, 2006 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions

SRO was sold out for the Angels

game on Friday, right? Anyone who wanted a ticket could have bought one when the ALDS individual tickets went on sale. ALCS tix go on sale Monday, and their is a lottery for WS tix.

by BleacherDave on Sep 29, 2006 1:07 PM PDT reply actions