paying the few extra bucks for guaranteed bleacher seats. it's just inconvenient to come in so early just to score a front-row bleacher seat. i was there today (section 147)...enjoyed it, but i guess it never would've been that way if i didn't come before the gates opened.

Because if you want good seats you have to get there early the way it is now.  However, if they start having reserved seating, then there will never be good seating available unless you buy the package plans (I'm assuming that the people who buy ahead of time would chose the good seats), and it's nice for good seats to be available for people who can't afford the plans but still like to sit in the bleachers when they do go to the games that they can.  So there's a lose-lose aspect to this whole thing.  I really do miss the old wooden bleacher benches prior to Mount Davis - when all the seats allowed you to see the entire field, ahhh, good times.

And I'm in favor of keeping it the way it is.  The die-hards that make the front row the way it is (saved seats or not) are what gives the bleachers their vibe.  Reserved seating increases the likelihood of carpetbaggers in the front row.  I go to enough games that the guys in 125 know who I am, and if seats are available in the first two or three rows, they're more than happy to me up.

During the playoffs last year, I was early enough to secure front row seats, but I was kinda saddened to see some carpetbaggers that I had never seen before sharing the front row.  It just wasn't quite the same.  The front row crew make it a point to get there early enough to ensure the flags are all upfront.  That's their reward for their devotion.

Not one bit.  I spent a lot of time in "terraces" in European football (soccer) stadiums with general seating.  You can't beat it for fun, randomness and errmm, fun.  

Anyone so snobbish as to want to suck cheap beer in the parking lot and still get his/her preferred seat is not in the game.

That's my two cents, thought up half-mindedly at oh-dark-thirty on Tuesday morning.

First the tarps, now this. The conceptual drawing of Cisco Field has three tiers of bleachers in left field. The lowest is at street level and will probably be reserved seating. The upper two tiers appear to share a concourse and could be either reserved or general admission. We can infer that the A's are trying to estimate demand. But since the bleachers tend to have a high-percentage of stay-in-Oakland types, it'll be interesting to see how many carry over.

If they're going to make reserved bleachers at the Coliseum, just give the lower section the treatment while the upper section can remain general admission.

as I've never sat in the bleachers before.  I've been tempted a couple of times just for the novelty.  But I am aware that it is an informally structured seating environment, which I intend to respect.  

One thing is absolutely sure, if the A's assign seating, the seating will inevitably go to those who can afford to pay.  That's the nature of the beast.  Leave it like it is.  If not, it will change significantly, and I doubt for the better.

There are actually no bleachers at the Coliseum any longer, only outfield seats.  Bleachers are benchs, not individual seats.  That being said I am against reserved seating in the outfield sections.  If you really have to have a certain seat then get to the park early or have a friend get to the park early and save you a seat.  When I used to sit in the bleachers (for every game in the late 80's and early/mid 90's) I would arrive early and just relax and enjoy the pregame rituals of baseball, batting practice, infield, the groundskeepers, ....

Forcing reserved seating on the outfield sections means you can't walk around and find a section that fits your personality.  Would all the drummers have been able to get together if they had to sit in assigned seats?  What about the flag wavers?  I sat in a few different places in the bleachers before I found a place and group of folks I enjoyed sitting with.  With reserved seating this opportunity to find a group (who you did not know before meeting them at the ballpark) will be gone.

Dave,

Thank you for getting the input for me.  It's very helpful in determining what we can do here.  I don't want to make things too difficult if it doesn't make sense.  

Now let's take another one tonight!

Rinetti

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Sounds like the status quo will be maintained.