Tagged: Oakland A's

What’s On Andrew’s Desk?

A work station is much like a human mind. It’s often full of tools for a craft, contains multiple ways to communicate internally and externally, and, if cluttered, can really slow the work process. A’s Ticket Services Representative John Austin has found fascination with the desk of fellow Rep, Andrew Bleaken. John regularly documents Andrew’s desk in the hilarious blog “What’s On Andrew’s Desk?,” where an intrigued reader can see an amazing assortment of wayward autographed baseballs, be reminded to download their own Drexel men’s basketball schedule, and learn how many mini cardboard boxes can fit on Andrew’s desk. 

“When it was first shown to me I was really caught off guard,” says Bleaken, a 26-year-old Philadelphian now living in the east bay. Bleaken has an array of items, but new items simply seem to appear on his desk. Clearly this needed to be shared. So why did Austin start the blog? “To document… let’s see… I don’t know. It’s funny.”

Bleaken has a good spirit about the online project. “I feel a little honored that someone would take the time to document my items of flair.”

Read and follow What’s On Andrew’s Desk?

Tweetup with the A’s

We hosted our inaugural Tweetup last night. It’s like a “meetup” except it’s Twitter.com users (who “tweet”) that follow the official A’s feeds @Athletics and @ticketservices. A special Plaza Level ticket allowed early access to the Eastside Club before the evening’s game where guests were treated to question and answer sessions with A’s players and personalities, hosted by Kara (@karashotcorner), while nibbling on inclusive food and beverages. 

 

Two of the A’s most savvy social media users, pitchers Gio Gonzalez (@GioGonzalez47) and Brad Ziegler (@bradziegler), sat down with Kara in front of the crowd to answer questions that fans tweeted us before and during the event. A few off-the-cuff highlights from the players… When asked what other position he’d play besides pitcher, Gio said he couldn’t play infield because he doesn’t like wearing a cup. Asked about their uniform choices, Brad doesn’t wear stirrups because it’s too much gold for his taste, to which Gio replied he wants to go with an all gold uniform. Brad was asked and talked about the importance of his foundation Pastime for Patriots. 

 

After the player panel, A’s radio voice Vince Controneo (@vincebaseball), Comcast SportNet California on-air personality Kate Longworth (@KLongworthCSN), and the Twitter sensation/wife of the night’s home team starting pitcher Amanda McCarthy (@Mrs_McCarthy32) all sat down with Kara to discuss how Twitter enhances their daily lives. Vince claims he doesn’t know what he’s doing on Twitter, but clearly, as one of the few MLB broadcasters on Twitter, understands how to harness the power of social media. He uses Twitter to interact with fans and stay on top of breaking news around the league. Kate, both a reporter and A’s fan, appreciates the personal viewpoint that Twitter provides fans. She recounted a recent connection she made with an out-of-state A’s fan that coined the term “Fosse Posse” and then attended his first home game in Oakland, where he got to meet Ray Fosse. Twitter provided the platform to make these connections happen. Amanda discussed the thrill of tweeting with people and then coming face-to-face, realizing the person you’re tweeting might be seated right behind you at the ballpark.  

 

Even Stomper (@Stomper00) rolled through the Tweetup a couple times to visit with fans, assist with the giveaway raffle, and to try and push his Twitter followers over 1,000. By the end of the game he reached his goal!  

 

Thank you everyone that came out to the A’s first Tweetup. If you attended, we’d love to hear what you thought. Write us in the comments area below so that we can make the next Tweetup even better.

 

Take a walk down Tweetup memory lane with additional Tweetup with the A’s photos…

Predicting the Future

As mentioned on our @ticketservices Twitter feed, Gio Gonzalez was on last night’s Season Ticket commemorative ticket stock. Every offseason, shortly before the thick of the holiday season, a few of us in the Ticket Operations Department pour over photos, creating a theme, and assigning each photo to specific games throughout the season. We want each ticket to be unique and we hope that each ticket will be memorable. Consolidated Printing, the company that prints the tickets, then helps with the design. We recently placed Trevor Cahill on a night that he pitched, similar to Gio’s ticket last night. Boy, did Gio pitch a gem last night or what? A leadoff hit by the Marlins and then not another the rest of the night. A’s win 1-0. We called that one in December.

Print@Home Tickets Now Free

The Oakland A’s have long offered print at home tickets to fans purchasing online and by phone for a small per order charge. We’re pleased to report, as of yesterday, single game ticket buyers have the opportunity to print tickets at home for free. Our desire is to allow fans, especially tech savvy fans, the best ticket purchase, ticket delivery, and gate entry experience possible. When ordering single game tickets select “Print At Home” for $0. Your confirmation screen, as well as a follow up email, will contain links to print your tickets onto 8.5” x 11” paper. Be sure that the barcode on each ticket is legible. Bring your printed papers to the game and the barcodes are scanned for entry. You never have to see a ticket operations employee at the Box Office or at Will Call. But if you want to stop by and say “Hello, Go A’s!” we won’t stop you.

Parking Advisory for A’s vs. Giants Series

A helpful heads up A’s fans… parking for the weekend series vs. the San Francisco Giants will be a little different. Parking lot staff will be directing automobiles into specific rows and spaces. We do this so that we can fit as many vehicles into the parking lot as possible for these capacity crowds. On Wednesday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT we sent a message to all fans with email that have tickets to these games. Here’s the information from the email: 

“In order to provide as much on-site parking as possible for the sold out A’s vs. Giants series, A’s staff will be directing parking lot traffic during the June 17-19 games. Vehicles will be waved into specific rows in the parking lot. Once rows are filled, fans can tailgate in the lanes. The A’s recommend traveling to the Coliseum by BART. If arriving by vehicle, the A’s recommend early arrival. Parking is $17.”   

Enjoy the A’s vs. Giants series Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19. Go A’s! 

Follow the A’s on Twitter, Save $ on July 4 Tickets

We’ve encouraged you to follow the A’s on social media before, but for the first time new followers will directly result in a decreased ticket price. Yesterday at midnight we recorded the number of followers that the @Athletics Twitter feed. It was 18,118. Over the next week, every 100 new followers will reduce the price of 4th of July Field Level tickets by $1. Get the full scoop. 

For example, if 600+ new followers (or 18,718+ total followers) are signed up to follow the @Athletics feed, then the price of the $26 Field Level ticket will drop $6 to a new cost of $20.

“Follow & Save” ends Monday, June 20 at 10am PT. By 11am that morning we’ll provide the online coupon code for redemption of the new July 4 game ticket price. It’s a “Follow Friday” every day this week at @Athletics y’all!

A’s & JibJab Take You Out To The Ball Game

JibJab and Major League Baseball have teamed up to create an animated video for “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” Teams were approached months ago about the concept and were able to provide feedback. The final result turned out great. You should know that the A’s really pushed for white cleats in our video. Don’t let the black shoes dampen your viewing experience.   

First check out our Ticket Services video, featuring Andrew, Catherine, John, Josh, and Lauren. Then create a video of your own with your friends, family, and co-workers. You can even post your link in the comments section below. We promise to watch it.    

Michael Jackson Themed Fireworks Playlist

We were asked on the @ticketservices Twitter feed for the playlist from the Saturday, May 28 Michael Jackson themed fireworks show. Our pleasure to supply.  

Wanna Be Startin’ Something

Billie Jean

The Way You Make Me Feel

Black or White 

Man in the Mirror

PYT (Pretty Young Thing)

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough

Bad

This photo was taken from the third deck on a tripod. The photographer was dancing during the photo shoot.

Bell Biv DeVoe Tossing Ceremonial First Pitches on May 29

The Ticket Operations Department has a line drawn through it. People under 30-years-old and people 30-and-over. Those in the former aren’t familiar with Bell Biv DeVoe. Those in the latter are coming to work on their off day to see the first pitch. BBD, members of New Edition (also featuring Bobby Brown plus others), hit makers of such New Jack Swing hits “Poison” and “Gangsta,” are scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitches on Sunday, May 29 before the A’s host the Baltimore Orioles.   

Younger colleagues understood the fascination a little better when it was revealed that Michael “Biv” Bivins found and produced the chart-topping foursome Boys II Men. In the song “Motown Philly” Michael Bivins has two speaking interludes and all three BBD members appear in the video as part of the East Coast Family. “BBD” is even mentioned a few times in the song.

So now, our slightly younger friends, are you excited for Bell Biv DeVoe tossing the ceremonial first pitches on Sunday, May 29? The 30-and-over crowd couldn’t be more so. See you at the Coliseum about 12:45 p.m. on Sunday!