Category: Dailies
Today is Early Bird Deadline Day
You ever look at a date on a calendar and think, “That’s so far away.”? Sometimes it feels like that day will never come. Then – BAM – that date has arrived and all of a sudden have to get your wife a birthday gift. Today might be one of those days. Friday, December 18 – today – is the Early Bird deadline day. We know, it came fast. But by renewing in full today you will receive 2 FREE Field Infield tickets ($70 value). Accounts renewing tickets of at least $1,500 will receive a deeply discounted 18 person luxury suite for only $200 ($1600 value). See complete details about Early Bird Benefits.
If you’re not interested in Early Bird benefits, but still want to renew your tickets the A’s now offer an online Payment Plan. You can renew your plan in three installments. Pay one-third today and additional one-third payments of the total will be spread out over the next three months. To pay in full or participate in the payment plan, visit your My A’s Tickets account.
Our smiling Ticket Services crew is standing by on phones to help you with your renewal. Don’t leave you or your wife hanging.
Contact A’s Ticket Services at (510) 568-5600 or tickets@oaklandathletics.com
The Saltine Challenge
Ticket Services Representative Adam has been claiming for months that “The Saltine Challenge” is impossible. He spelled it out as seven crackers in one mouth at the same time. No water to help swallow. To begin Early Bird Deadline week Catherine sat snacking on some saltines. Travis had to take the challenge. Under the watchful eyes of the office, and fair officiating by Adam, Travis shoved seven stacked crackers into his month- Scooby Doo style- and proceeded to munch. “Like eating sawdust,” he wrote on a post-it note while unable to speak. In about 75 seconds he was in the clear. A high-five and an inflated sense of self worth later, Travis got back to work with a big bottle of water. Moti, visiting from Premium Seating down the hall, missed the challenge. “Let me know if you do it again,” said Moti. Travis isn’t so sure he’ll be trying that challenge again anytime soon.
*Note: A quick online search revealed that “The Saltine Challenge” is actually eating six of the crackers in 60 seconds without liquid. A bit different from the completed challenge. Says A’s Ticket Services, “Bring it on.”
Special Caravan Event with Rajai & Brad
It was an unseasonably chilly early December evening when A’s Season Ticket Holders mingled with Rajai Davis, Brad Ziegler, and A’s Front Office Staff- including your Ticket Services Staff favorites- at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek. While it was cold outside, inside the attendees enjoyed dinner, a meet and greet with the players, autograph and photo opportunities, and a question & answer session MC’d by A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse. The Season Ticket Holders, all randomly selected, received party favors: new baseballs perfect for autographs, trading cards, and raffle tickets, where lucky winners received prizes such as game used bats, autographed baseballs, and an authentic Mark Ellis jersey. In the spirit of the season, each attendee brought one new unopened toy to the event as the A’s teamed with California Police Youth Charities in support of their annual toy drive.
Some of our favorite quotes from the Q&A session:
Rajai Davis on stealing bases:
“You know what’s fun is I look around at other teams and their catchers and I say, ‘okay I got you, I got you, I got you’.”
Brad Ziegler on switching to the submarine delivery:
“One of my minor league coaches actually suggested it to me. At first I was reluctant because I felt like going to a side arm delivery was sort of a last ditch effort for a struggling pitcher to stay competitive and at their best level. And I was pitching very well at the time. But once I started seeing the results I was getting I had to stick with it.”
Rajai on his mindset as a basestealer:
“It’s great to get on base and just have the confidence to know that I’m going to steal this bag and no matter what I’m not going to get out. A lot of times my coaches will give me the green light. Although sometimes I have a red light and occasionally happen to run that red light. As long as I don’t get caught, then everything is okay.”
Brad on making pitching adjustments:
“Making adjustments is something you have to do throughout your career from game to game and inning to inning. I even have to make adjustments during a single at bat. If I come inside to hitter and he turns on it foul, then I know if I come back inside I need to change something whether it be turning up the heat or changing the location.”
We particularly enjoyed one entertaining exchange between Ray Fosse and Brad Ziegler when talking about changing the pace of the game as a reliever:
Fosse: “A pitcher once told me you either want to throw faster or slower than what everyone else is throwing. And this guy (points to Brad) throws slower.”
(Audience laughs)
Ziegler: “Just to set the record straight, at a game in Anaheim this year I was clocked at 91MPH.”
(Audience applauds)
As the A’s staff, we enjoy opportunities to connect to our loyal fans on a more personal level at events such as these. And we should note, the players were amazing with everyone in attendance, showing full desire to be accommodating and involved. Interested in attending an event such as this in the future? As an A’s Season Ticket Holder today you never know when we may randomly select your account to partake in events such as these. We wish you a very happy and healthy Holiday season!
Turn Back The Clock… Again
Reflecting on the 2009 season we recalled that we forgot to post the Turn Back The Clock photos from Sunday, August 16. You made it out, right? Good. So you remember the 1929 uniforms the A’s and White Stockings donned? You even picked up your own giveaway replica A’s 1929 jersey and you’re wearing it right now? Sweet! We had a laugh over the nicknames given to players on Diamond Vision, the old mic that Dick Callahan used to introduce players from behind home plate, and the many fans and employees that got into the action of partying like it’s 1929 (pre-Depression).
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)
October 3 Season Ticket Holder Event
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!
Candy Gram
In the search to squelch a sweet tooth today, Ticket Services went digging into the recesses of the office in hopes of a hidden gem. We’re out of M&M’s. Gone are the Baby Ruths. No more Snickers to satisfy. What we found was a brick of 36 count individually wrapped 2.25 ounce “candy bars,” of which we’ll protect the name (hint: It shares its name with a semi-popular song and dance of the mid-1990s). Not quite chocolate, not really tasty, we wondered who would buy such a large quantity in a big box store or even one in a convenience store. We decided to taste test. We sliced the log into more manageable sample sizes and commenced chewing. While savoring the flavor we each identified three words to describe the experience of this candy.
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.
2010 Schedule & Info at oaklandathletics.com/2010
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.
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.
A Season Ticket Holder on the Road
A’s Season Ticket Holder and AFAC member Marlene recently visited Cooperstown for Rickey Henderson’s induction and traveled the northeast baseball landscape to watch our A’s. Today, Marlene shares some stories and observations from her travels, as well as some photos. Thanks Marlene!
Celebrating Rickey’s Induction at the Baseball Hall of Fame!
What better birthday present could I give to myself than a trip to Cooperstown to celebrate Rickey Henderson’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame? How about that trip to Cooperstown plus visits to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park to see our A’s play! Throw in the new Mets park, Citifield, Nationals Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards… and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Being in Cooperstown for Rickey’s induction was great fun. There were many more A’s fans in attendance than I anticipated and we all had a marvelous time; proud of Rickey and his accomplishments and especially proud of his prepared and well delivered speech! People stopped us on the way back to town to comment on just how surprisingly good Rickey had been.
Cooperstown is a baseball pilgrimage at any time, but being there for a Hall of Fame Induction is especially exciting. The streets are full of fans sporting the colors of every Major League team and some Minor League clubs too. Former Hall of Famers and other baseball greats come to town and relax on Main Street with fans of every age, signing autographs and smiling for photos. I saw Yogi Berra, Juan Marichal, Al Kaline, Gary Carter, Rollie Fingers, and our own Dave Stewart.
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 Cooperstown on your must-visit list. It is a beautiful New England village situated on Lake Otsega.
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 Yankees Museum and Monument Park as well as wander around the very wide concourses and view the multitude of food choices. There was a meat market and steak sandwich spot, the Yankees Club with white table cloth dining, pizza, and also sushi. A New York law requires the calorie count of foods displayed, so you know just how many thousands of calories you can consume at the ballgame!
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 Fenway Park. I went on a tour in the afternoon. It really is a lovely old ballpark and you can just feel the history there on the grassy field. It was beautiful and peaceful. The park features many of the original seats, rather narrow and long rows. The seats on top of the Green Monster had a great view. The tour guide told us that the color of the wall, Fenway Green, is proprietary and only available to the Red Sox. The game later that night was yet another sellout. I don’t think I got the true Fenway experience, though. I was sitting with 25 A’s fans!
I then traveled back to New York for a Rockies vs Mets game at the new Citifield. It is still by LaGuardia so airplanes flying overhead are an extra highlight! Again another big, new ballpark. The main entrance is through a very large rotunda that is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Murals on the upper level walls celebrate #42 with images from his career. The out of town scoreboard was my favorite as I could follow right along with the A’s game in Boston; out by out, base by base. We won that night so it was all good! Customer Service at Citifield was so outstanding that I stopped a supervisor to comment. Turns out this guy is a Raiders fan and has season tickets on the 50 yard line in section 117. Of all the people in New York to talk to, I pick a Raiders fan!
I left New York and headed to Washington, D.C. for the SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) convention. The Nationals were on the road, but I took the Metro to the ballpark for a tour. Very convenient, the park is close to the train stop. Our tour took us through the public spaces, which featured both Nationals history and many of the legends of the game. I thought that was a very nice touch. We toured the press box and the upper level seats. Imagine watching a ballgame and being able to see the Capital Building in the background! The SABR convention is all baseball, all the time, with research presentations on all aspects of the game. There were author presentations and my favorite session the Player Panel. This year Frank Howard and Rick Dempsey talked baseball with host George Michael for about an hour and a half.
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.
TripleFirrre
If you made it to Phoenix for Spring Training in March this year then you may have seen the band TripleFirrre jamming outside the front gates. Remember this? Well 9-year-old triplets Sela, Ari, and Alex just had a Fender article about their stardom, which includes a link to their new music video. We’re hoping to coax TripleFirrre back to Phoenix Muni in March 2010, unless a world tour carries them away. If so, we knew them when.
Spread the Love
We recently read the nice notes about Ticket Services in a thread on athleticsnation.com. Much appreciated. We’re definitely letting it go to our heads. No really, we’re always happy to help.
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.
A's Ticket Services 