We hope that you find this online renewal option helpful. In about one week you will receive your traditional invoice and brochure by mail, so fear not if you prefer receiving the paper version of this information.
Thank you for all of your support over the years. We hope to see you often at the Oakland Coliseum in 2010. If you have any questions about renewing your season tickets we're happy to help at (510) 568-5600 and tickets@oaklandathletics.com. Let's Go A's!
(Photo by Michael Zagaris)
The band played. We danced the Charleston.
The Ticket Services Office enjoys the game.
A Season Ticket Holder, dressed to impress, visits the Ticket Services Office.
The grounds crew drags the field in 1929 shirts and hats.
The Philadelphia Athletics are World Series Champions, deafeating the Chicago Cubs.
Ticket Services gets in on the act.
Now what the heck is an "Internet"?!?!
(Photos copyright Travis LoDolce)
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If you are an A's Season Ticket Holder, and if you're not you should be, you probably attended the Saturday, October 3 post-game event at the Coliseum. The feedback we've received is that it was a smashing success. In case you missed it, all Season Ticket Holders were invited onto the field after the A's game, where the ballplayers walked the circumference of the field to shake hands and give out "thank you" buttons. After the time on the field, fans visited the East Side Club. Robert Buan hosted the "Extra Innings" radio show with special guests Andrew Bailey, Ray Fosse, and Ken Korach. They talked A's baseball and, along with Senior Director of Ticket Operations Steve Fanelli and Vice President of Sale & Marketing Jim Leahey, held a live raffle for autographed and game used items. Promotional items from the season were handed out to everyone. Complimentary food and drinks were provided as well.
As mentioned, the positive response we've received is tremendous. We were happy to create an event that highlighted our appreciation of Season Ticket Holders. We're not only grateful for the response from A's fans, but also for the cooperation of all A's staff. It was a full team effort to host this event. The A's organization hopes all Season Ticket Holders know how much we appreciate their continued support of the ball club.
If you have any photos or stories from October 3 we'd love to see or read. Feel free to share in the comments section. A few photos we snapped are below. Thanks again to all that attended and were involved in the October 3 event. We're already looking forward to 2010!
We hope you enjoy as much as more than we did.
Sticky. Chewy. Chocolate-ish. Difficult. Verp. Unpleasant. My teeth hurt. Stretchy. Choking hazard. Horrible. Synthetic chocolate substitute. Inedible. Fake chocolate. Worthless. Wax tasting. "Candy."
And finally... Hard to chew. However, this gentleman ate a full log by himself within minutes.
The two men were lead to the costumes during the early innings of the Wednesday, September 23 A's game. Hidden under the bleachers the guys tried on the oversized shoes. John and his large feet fit snuggly into the shoes. Travis' puppies didn't fit quite so well. "Feels like my feet are about to fall out of the cloud they're hiding in," he noted as he high stepped his practice run.
Donning the costumes for the first time, John and Travis both agreed it's dark inside without an easy way to scratch your nose. "My head hit the top," John said, noting the limited head room. Vision is limited, but better than they thought. Still, Travis advises, "I wouldn't recommend driving a car."
Along with Brian from the A's promotions crew, all three employees climbing into their respective costumes. Brian in the Blue Dot, Travis in the Red Dot, and John in the White Dot, thankfully leaving alone the pretty pink bow on this dot costume. The runners had just 90 seconds on the field in total. That time includes introduction, the race, and quickly getting off the field. In the middle of the fourth inning they emerged from left field wall. Lined at the warning track, public address announcer Dick Callahan introduced the race. And then they were off! Blue Dot Brian and White Dot John rocketed toward third base, where Stomper waited as the place to turn. Red Dot Travis was already behind. At the turn Blue and White tore around Stomper and passed Red lumbering in dress slacks toward the elephant. Stomper shrugged, as if to wonder what medical emergency was occurring inside the Red Dot to cause such delay.
Ahead, Blue and White fought for the win. "I looked (at Blue) and we were, well, not neck and neck... more like nub to nub," John recounts as he pushed ahead for the photo finish victory. "It was a fun, unique experience," John continued. "I was out of breath for two hours afterward."
Meanwhile, Red labored toward the finish line. "I saw the other dots sipping Mai Tai's on lounge chairs beyond the finish line so I knew I didn't perform. There was already a
John, on the other hand, was congratulated just after his accomplishment. "Hey! I knew you were a guy," yelled a fan in on the edge of the Section 134 Bleachers. People seemed to enjoy the competitive challenge between White and Blue, and the Red Sloth, er, Dot too. As the A's dot racing commercial says, 100% Fuzzy Fun.
Early in the race Blue and White are already out in front.
Blue and White pass the turn at Stomper, while Red lags behind.
Stomper gives Red a push. He appears to need it.
Blue and White roar toward the finish as if on rocket skates. White wins by a nub.
Alone on an island, Red runs toward Dot Race retirement. (Photos courtesy of the A's Special Event and Promotions Department) 
We've been busy. Very busy. Did you see this news today?... Oakland Athletics Unveils 2010 Schedule. And just as import... Team Also Announces Season Ticket Pricing will be Reduced an Average of 10% Next Year. Told you we've been busy. With the continued help of Major League Baseball and our Marketing Producer, Adam, we built an E-Brochure for all 2010 ticketing news at oaklandathletics.com/2010. This is a one stop shop for everything tickets throughout the offseason. When season ticket plan renewals are ready, you'll find the link available on that page. When parking can be purchased, you'll find it there. Have a Fielder's Choice Plan and want to pick the games online? You know where you can eventually find it. Visit oaklandathletics.com/2010 now and throughout the offseason. Right now, it's the best resource for 2010 game schedule, ticket plan game dates, and ticket plan pricing. Reduced pricing, don't forget, as season ticket pricing will drop an average of 10%. As Jim Leahey, A's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, states, "We recognize that the economic environment continues to be difficult. Given that reality, we will continue to do everything we can to make our product as affordable as possible. As our exciting young group of players develops into a contending team, we want to reward fans who make the commitment to be a part of that growth. Our 10% season ticket price decrease is another example of our efforts to make A's baseball accessible, affordable, and value-driven. That value will be even more meaningful to fans given the attractive schedule in 2010."
That attractive schedule includes two visits each by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, along with a visit from the cross-bay San Francisco Giants. Not too shabby.
We also continue to improve flexibility for A's Season Ticket Holders. We already feature arguably the most flexible ticket exchange program in professional sports, but plan to improve it by offering online ticket returns. We're interested in fan satisfaction and your ease.
Let us know if you have any questions about the 2010 season and your season ticket plan. We can be reached at the Season Ticket Holder Hotline at (510) 568-5600, via email at tickets@oaklandathletics.com, in the Ticket Services Office, or simply post a note in this blog forum. We're always happy to help.
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Celebrating Rickey's Induction at the Baseball Hall of Fame!
What better birthday present could I give to myself than a trip to
Being in
The Baseball Hall of Fame building has been remodeled since my last visit, enlarging the space for the library and opening up the actual Hall of Fame into a beautiful space. All three floors of the Hall are full of baseball history, which included special exhibits for the three new inductees, an exhibit honoring Hank Aaron, memorabilia for each team, and vintage uniforms and equipment. You could happily spend several days enjoying all the memories.
Be sure to put
I was able to get to two of our games at new Yankee Stadium. One was the rescheduled rain postponed game from early in the season and the makeup game was rain delayed for 2 ½ hours! That delay worked in my favor as I was able to visit the
The park is new and big, featuring lots of Yankees history. There are exhibits honoring each of the 26 World Championship teams. The museum features a "Ball Wall" with hundreds of signed baseballs from Yankees greats - including Catfish Hunter! Lots of exciting elements all around the park, but it felt very new and very big and very much like all the new ballparks. I missed the "ghosts" from the old Stadium right across the street. It is still standing.
This trip was also my first visit to
I then traveled back to
I left
The SABR convention included a trip to Camden Yards, where the Red Sox were in town to play the Orioles. It felt like Fenway South, there were so many Sox fans there. Camden Yards is the first retro ballpark built in 1992 close to downtown at the old railroad site. Trains stop right outside. The park has been maintained very well and still looks great.
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As you may have noticed the home schedule is a bit heavy in August and September. We hope you're enjoying the increased offensive production since the All-Star Break. Off the field, we have a lot to do in Ticket Services these days as we continue strong in 2009 as well as look forward to 2010.
Keep the compliments coming! We look forward to assisting you.
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First, beginning on Thursday, July 16, the parking rate for automobiles in the Oakland Coliseum general parking lot will increase from $15 to $17 per vehicle. This is due to an 18.5% City of
Second, the Saturday, July 18 game is a 1:10 p.m. first pitch. Early versions of the season schedule listed the July 18 game at 6:05 p.m. Prior to the start of the season the game time changed to 1:10 p.m. to accommodate national television. Tickets with 6:05 p.m. listed as the start time are valid for entry for the 1:10 p.m. game on July 18. Parking gates open at 10:30 a.m. and stadium gates open at 11:05 a.m.
If you are an A's Season Ticket Holder and did not receive a reminder message regarding these items, please be sure to update your email address with the A's Ticket Services Office. Contact us M-F 8:30 a.m - 5 p.m. at (510) 568-5600 or via email at tickets@oaklandathletics.com.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for
John Austin's team was down, with but one inning more to play.
But then when a few got on, the decibels got loud,
Hoot and hollers rang all over coming from the crowd.
Sure a few got up to grab another slice of pizza from the box,
The crowd frenzied, with
There's even money, now, with
And now the softball sphere came hurling through the air,
But
Right across homeplate the ball unheeded lobbed
"No thanks, sir," said
He stretched following a yawn.
He watched the pitcher toss it through,
As the umpire roared, "Strike two."
He focused on the pitcher, pounded his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of
Oh, somewhere in
Music's playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light.
And elsewhere people laugh, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in
OK, so John Austin, A's Ticket Services Representative, didn't actually strike out with the game on the line, but at the annual company softball event Team Stomper Fun Zone defeated Team Austin's Army in the championship game. But, as John notes, it wasn't about winning or losing, it was about having fun playing on the same field that has provided so many amazing moments over the last 41 years.
Of special note,
(Photos copyright Travis LoDolce)
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Ladies and gentlemen. 30 years ago, on June 24, 1979, a bright young star from
Songs/Artist
Cutie
Get Down On It/Kool and the Gang
Let it Whip/Dazz Band
I Wish/Stevie Wonder
You Dropped a Bomb on Me/The Gap Band
For the Love of Money/The O'Jays
Fantastic Voyage/Lakeside
Boogie Wonderland/Earth Wind & Fire
Special thanks to Jenna Zito, Special Events Assistant, for the event copy, song list, and hard work on fireworks nights.
Actually, A's Ticket Services has been active on Twitter for almost a year. Our first post was June 25, 2008. Trend setters anyone? We've certainly been more active this season, what with Twitter's increasing popularity. Our handle is ticketservices and you can find us at twitter.com/ticketservices. On Twitter we hold contests, ask and answer A's questions, and provide updates on A's news- mostly from a ticket perspective. The occasional ticket discount offer- or "tweet deals"- pops up too.
There are actually two official Twitter sites for the Oakland A's. ticketservices and OaklandAs. Each account is updated by a different department at the A's so you'll get a different perspective from both. A great place to ask A's related questions too. Hope you follow. Hope you enjoy. Rock on. Tweet, Tweet, Tweedilly-Tweet!
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Military personnel receive 15% discount off merchandise purchases. Military personnel must show a current Military ID. Guests who travel on the Capital Corridor train must show their train ticket stub. These discounts are available at any Team Store location throughout the Coliseum.
Happy saving!
]]>The usual experience starts for fans as they enter the ballpark past the visiting team's bus. Since we're already at the ballpark, we began in the long hallway (past the new Diamond Level restroom) and descended the stairs past the watchful eye of security outside the visitor's locker room. We stayed to the left so the Mariners could walk freely to our right. Cheerfully greeted by a member of the A's Premium Seating staff behind the Diamond Level seats we were ready to crush the menu. Unlimited food!
Once sat, we watched batting practice as a server brought us round one of delicious treats. The menu changes a bit every homestand, but general items include traditional ballpark fair like grilled sausages, freshly made pizzas, and soft pretzels. There are also Diamond Level exclusives. Fresh crab sandwiches, French dip with au jus, and freshly prepared salads were available last night. Our game total: lobster rolls, chicken wings, sausages, nachos, French dips, pretzels, peanuts, cheese pizzas, dibbs, and malts. We didn't eat breakfast this morning.
Just feet from us, players ran back and forth from the clubhouse. Sometimes checking on the Cavs-Magic game. Ken Griffey Jr was in the know. We asked him the status. He told us
The game itself was amazing as the A's roared back into the game with a four run 7th inning. Dallas Braden was strong all game and Andrew Bailey continued his season-long dominance with a 1-2-3 9th for the save. 4-3 A's win. We're happy... and stuffed.
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