Box Office Report
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 24, 2009 5:00 PM PST
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Can’t beat the box office. No Ticketmaster Transaction fee, no Inconvenience Fee, no print-at-home fee. For the cost-conscious consumer it’s worth driving a fair piece to buy tickets without the usuriousness.
Amusingly, the A’s web site makes it sort of hard to figure out how to buy tickets in person. The information is not included on the General Ticket Info page, nor can it be found on the Single Game Tickets page. Instead, you need to leave the ticket section of the site entirely, and find your way over to the Ballpark A-to-Z Guide page, then under the letter A (oddly) you’ll find "A’s Box Office," where you’ll learn that:
The A's Box Office is located on the North side of the stadium at D Gate and is open on Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm and Saturdays, 10am-4pm, closed on Sunday.
The Box Office is also open for every A's home game. On all weeknight, weekday and 6:05 weekend day games, the Box Office opens at 10am. On weekend games, the Box Office opens at 9am. The Box Office is open on gamedays until 30 minutes after the game at the D Gate Box Office.
- I’m guessing that the A’s decision to ditch Fan Fest this year put quite a dent in their opening weekend ticket sales. I went at 2:00 today, first day of sales, and there was almost no one there. One couple was walking away as the Aphid and I walked up, and another pair arrived as we were leaving. And that’s it. The A’s appeared to have eight tickets sellers on duty, and they, um, had some spare time on their hands. My transaction interrupted their card game.
- That said, today as always, the staff at the A’s Box Office rock. They are invariably helpful, patient, and possessed of a section-by-section…nay, seat-by-seat…knowledge of the vagaries of the concrete bowl we call home. What’s the best way to avoid the sun at a May afternoon game? Or to be close to a restroom with a diaper changing table? Where are you most likely to be assaulted by seagulls, smokers, or Sox fans? The A’s ticket staff knows.
- The team store was open. Had no player-specific jerseys or tee-shirts, except for some Chavez’s, of which I imagine they own numerous shipping containers full. OTOH—no Crosby’s! They’ve obviously learned to wait out the roster storms before stocking the inventory. They do, however, have six different sizes and styles of Stomper dolls available! Also, as always the A’s have a lot of A’s gear for infants, but not so much for elementary school aged kids.
- I’ll buy more game tickets later when I know my schedule better, and after I’ve exhausted my various sources of freebies. I’m especially interested in the much-improved Friday Family Pack Deal—four Plaza Level seats for $50, plus four hot dogs, sodas, and bags of peanuts. A fireworks game for my family of four last year ran us $56 for Plaza Outfield seats ($18 each for two adults, $10 each for kids). So for 2009 we're looking at better seats, for less money, plus food. Ex-cellent. < twiddles fingers >
- Also improved for this year: last year’s introduction of "premium game pricing," where tickets for games against the Giants, Red Sox and Yankees cost more than other games, has now been rolled back to apply to only the most high priced tickets. Us Joe "Quaff a pre-game BART lot" Sixpack types will pay the same for all 2009 games.
- The $2 Wednesday deals are better than ever! This year, no home Wednesdays are excluded…Royals or Red Sox, Rangers or Giants, Twins or Yankees, makes no difference, the A’s will sell you two dollar ticket.
- What’s more, the sections with $2 beauties have been expanded this year to add the "Plaza Level" section. Previously, the deal applied only to the Plaza Reserved (aka Upper Bleachers) and the Plaza Outfield (aka Plaza Oblique, near the foul poles). Now you can find $2 tix from Section 225 on the third base side and 209 on first base, at the outside edge of the infield dirt. For me this may not have a huge real-world affect—my butt pretty much only meets my actual assigned seat on Opening Night and when I have my kids along—but for the rest of you right-standing law abiding folk, this is good news.
- Tangent—please, someone tell the A’s how absurd their section naming is. If you’d never been there, would you think that "Plaza Reserved" are actually much worse seats than "Plaza Outfield" or "Plaza Level"? Or for that matter, that many seats in the "Plaza Infield" offer substantially better views than those in the "Field Level." For God’s sake, there’s four separate price ranges which have Plaza in their name. I think they should adopt a more colorfully hierarchical nomenclature. "Well, Roy Halladay’s pitching that game, so give me two seats in the Plutocrat section...I can’t afford the Brahmins. But next week when KC’s in town I’ll take two in the Plebe section and look to upgrade. But I draw the line at Peasants…they’re revolting"
Two tickets for Opening Night, front row Section 241…close enough that Ryan can hear me but not so close that Ichiro can point me out to the cops. Two tickets to four of the five Wednesday day games this season, and four tickets to every Wednesday night game. 38 tickets, $90. These are the good old days.
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Word.
Tangent—please, someone tell the A’s how absurd their section naming is.
I don’t even know the names. As far as I’m concerned, they’re “1st deck”, “2nd deck”, and “3rd deck”.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous.
I used to know the different section names, when there was Field Infield and Outfield, and Plaza Infield and Outfield. Now? I have no clue.
by whiteshoes40 on Jan 24, 2009 5:44 PM PST up reply actions
I think there's
“first deck” and “empty”.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Are you old enough to remember "Little League Day" in the early & mid 70s?
The entire 3rd deck would be crammed with kids, and the 1st & 2nd decks almost empty.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
Nope. I missed the World Series years,
first becoming a fan in the late 70s and then really becoming a die-hard fan in 1980.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
God, I am glad that I missed that.
I love kids but so many people don’t make their children behave at the games. I always hate having a kid sit behind me and jump over the seats and kick the back of my chair etc. It really detracts from my enjoyment of the game.
As LongTimeFan knows, I just turn around
and “parent” them (set boundaries) – I figure someone oughta.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I'm not bringing monkeyball, jr. to a game until he can behave himself
Given his genetic and environmental patrimony, I’m guessing he’ll enjoy watching the 2055 Athletics with me.
A B -3X = Swedish girls like chocolate @('.')@
Sitting on your replacement knee?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Nico, is there a VORK projections available?
"God made Majnun love Layla so much that just her dog would cause confusion in him."
The Many Wines-Rumi
There is a 38%
likelihood that the a’s are keVORKed by june 1.
"...in baseball you wear a cap." -- george carlin
Section 220 is your friend
The Stompor fun zone is just behind, and there are two real beer outlets on the main concourse just below.
by green star oakland on Jan 27, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Coincidentally enough, I myself also have two real beer outlets on the main concourse just below.
A B -3X = Swedish girls like chocolate @('.')@
Crap, closed on Sunday?!
I was going to go tomorrow :(
When you say different “styles” of Stomper dolls…do tell…!
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King
Well...
I heard one of them comes dressed as a sheep this year.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
They're already sold out of those
As of 10 minutes after I got there.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Yeah, shoulda been a standing order.
"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds
Might want to call the park
What I posted is the generic Box Office info; perhaps they’re planning on being open tomorrow anyway, since it’s the first weekend. Park switchboard is 638-4900.
Stompers: There was one huge plush Stomper as big as a beachball, a bunch of 12-inch tall plush Stompers which looked pretty good, lots of those trumpet puppet Stompers, a few of the strange furry Stompers with super-elongated arms and legs (like someone put Stomper’s head on a rally monkey’s body and dyed it green, cringe), and a small fridge magnet Stomper. That’s five, may have been one or two others.
"Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud." Willie Stark
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 24, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions
I'd say the coli box office staff ain't got nuthin on you ;)
I’m intrigued by this beach ball Stomper. Although no doubt my dog would be equally interested.
"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King
darn
I was going to go tomorrow too!! :(
There's no crying in baseball!
by gigglingone on Jan 24, 2009 11:37 PM PST up reply actions
totally agree with point three
in contrast with many larger music venues / sporting grounds the world over, i have always found all of the A’s staff to be curtious, helpful and efficient. here’s hoping that they all make the move over to Fremont, too!
On a more general note, yay for another step on the way to opening day!
when did we stop using adverbs proper?
by alea iacta est on Jan 24, 2009 6:41 PM PST reply actions
Ditto
the courteous staff. I much prefer buying tickets in person. The online sales don’t give you any choices within a section. The staff is always patient and accomodating, in my experience.
"If you make up your mind not to be happy, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." -Edith Wharton (The Last Asset)
by Oakville Athletic on Jan 27, 2009 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
$90, eh?
Damn, now that I’ve gotta pay for Galt to go to games (in this economy), I may have to make a trip to the box office myself. Good info.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
Yankee Stadium
The naming scheme of the seats are just as bad at Yankee Stadium (the one about to be demolished). Every section has the term LOGE on it. Without the help of the ushers, it is impossible to find your seats.
yeah i thought the coliseum was bad too
but me and my girlfriend went to yankee stadium this past summer for the first time and it took a half hour and asking like 3 ushers were our seats were. and we still ended up in the wrong seats.
"That team runs on Bobby Crosby being healthy. This guy is amazing. If he's healthy, they could go a long way. He's the key"
-Johnny Damon
I have a work thing on Opening Friday.
I’m insanely pissed off. I’m trying to get out of it without having to play the “I’m already going to be unable to go to most of my beloved weeknight games, and won’t be able to see most games on TV, either, because I’ll be WORKING practically every night except Fridays, which I’m supposed to have OFF” card, but I don’t know how long I can hold back.
Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"
Give us your office number
We’ll call in a bomb threat.
by Englishmajor on Jan 26, 2009 9:34 PM PST up reply actions
Hold on...
I may have talked them into changing it to 3/27… {{{fingers crossed}}}
Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"
I know things.
Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"
I think the A's hired Starbucks to name their seating sections
Excellent news on the entire $2 Wednesday scheme.
A B -3X = Swedish girls like chocolate @('.')@
Agree with you, it is nearly impossible to find the hours of operation of the A's box
office on the A’s website. Try calling the posted number and you get tickets.com instead of the A’s box office. It’s almost as if they don’t want you to go to the box office. I wonder why that might be? Maybe they want to charge you for the “convenience” of using their on-line services? ;)
by 33SwisherSweet on Jan 25, 2009 10:26 AM PST reply actions
"Also, as always the A’s have a lot of A’s gear for infants, but not so much for elementary school aged kids."
You don’t trade yours after six years?
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
What, and pay for preschool AGAIN?
The day Segundo joined Primera in free public elementary school was a glorious day for my bank account. Though I hear that these halcyon days of cost control come to an end as adolescence sets in.
"Man is conceived in sin and born in corruption and he passeth from the stink of the didie to the stench of the shroud." Willie Stark
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 25, 2009 11:43 AM PST up reply actions
Good point.
I’m in the same boat – I could be sending my kid to college for less.
Children, until we have taught them better, will be perfectly happy with a seasonal round of games in which conkers succeeds hopscotch.
... and then bring 'em back to live in the basement in their dotage
A B -3X = Swedish girls like chocolate @('.')@
Sweet deal on the 2 dollar tix.
I’ll have to check out some of those games. Last year we went to a Jays-A’s game on a WEdnesday and git 2 dollar seats in Plaza Level Section 208, Row 5. Not a bad deal at all. And it was Harden vs. Halladay. Nice….
"God made Majnun love Layla so much that just her dog would cause confusion in him."
The Many Wines-Rumi
I bought my season tickets early last week
two fielder’s choice packages — for me and my season ticket buddy — in section 225 And I had a pleasant surprise: this time I got the $2 discounts for Wednesday games (which wasn’t the case last year).
Dang - even the names of the ticket packages
have a low OBP.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
at least they discontinued the two-game "GIDP" package
A B -3X = Swedish girls like chocolate @('.')@
Awesome!
A tear to my eye seeing the “good ol days” return to the A’s Box Office.
I too was feeling a bit miffed last year when the “premium games” tickets made their way to Oakland, but glad to see sense has returned.
Now all they have to do is re-open the top deck and let me sun myself on those breezy Saturday afternoon games.
It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.
I just got a few tickets online
i can’t get over to the East Bay as easily as I might like, due to work.
Imagine my surprise when i noticed that the ‘will call’ option isn’t there in the delivery method drop down menu! i wonder if they’ll bring it back during the season, or what. oh well.
when did we stop using adverbs proper?
by alea iacta est on Jan 28, 2009 10:50 AM PST reply actions
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