Tagged: Oakland Athletics
Meaningful Day: Talkin’ Draft and Angels Series
Garfield hates Mondays. What’s he care? He doesn’t work. Not like the A’s work, particularly on this Monday. In just a few hours the A’s will draft number 10 overall in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. All of the A’s organizational scouts collect in a “war room” to share months if not years of work, recommendations, and experience. Of course, the discussions are done – can’t do homework on the day of the final exam. It’ll be exciting to watch the A’s select baseball players over the next three days. Although different than other sports where athletes usually move straight to the major team, the MLB draft can be likened to a college recruiting class. Terrific athletes, some seasoning needed, and enjoy watching them grow into full fledged talents. Hitting a big league fastball is often said to be “the hardest thing to do in sports.” It’s not much easier to hit or throw a curve ball either.
Just a couple hours after the A’s pick 10th, the Angels and A’s will matchup at the Oakland Coliseum for the first of four games (Monday-Wednesday @ 7:05pm, Thursday @ 12:35pm). As we write, the Texas Rangers are first in the AL West Division with the Angels and A’s a half and full game back, respectively. That means, a loss by Texas and an A’s win can pull the A’s into a first place tie with Texas tonight. This series can mean a lot. You’re certainly encouraged to don green and gold and cheer often for the home club the next four days.
By-the-way, when you purchase any A’s ticket online at oaklandathletics.com you’ll be offered the opportunity to purchase tickets from Dallas Braden’s Perfect Game masterpiece on May 9, 2010. Tickets are $10 each in your choice of section. Just a little keepsake for any baseball fan.
Perfection and Sweeps – Where Are Your Seats?
How is your season progressing so far? The A’s, above .500, are just a hair out of first place
in the AL West. We’ve witnessed a recent perfect game and a sweep in Oakland over
the cross-bay Giants. For such accomplishments, where did you sit? Have you tried the new
Value Deck or Plaza Club, with Jumbo Ticket added-value installed in the barcode? Maybe you and five friends checked out a Mini Suite, where you get a private suite plus food and beverage for $99 per ticket. Maybe you’ve even taken advantage of Dallas Braden’s Section 209 offer! What’s your favorite section/row/seat in the Oakland Coliseum? And your favorite moment while in it?
Photos copyright Travis LoDolce
A’s Win, Season Ticket Holders batting 1.000
The A’s collected the first regular season win of 2010 last night. A 10 inning walk-off single by Mark Ellis lifted the A’s to victory behind a 7 inning, 10 strikeout no decision performance by starting pitcher (and Stockton’s own) Dallas Braden. At 1-1 on the season the A’s are poised to strike at the AL West Division leading Texas Rangers (1-0). OK, yeah, we know it’s early. We also know Season Ticket Holders love to see wins. While the team on the field looks good, so does the team in the Ticket Services Office. You’ll see some new faces in the office should you visit us on game day. Some familiar faces too. Every face with a smile and desire to help you.
While we enjoy the face-to-face interaction, we realize you’re at the ballpark to see the baseball game. We want to remind you of the ticket policies and services we have in place to make being an A’s Season Ticket Holder more advantageous than ever.
Our Ticket Services webpage (oaklandathletics.com/ticketservices) is a great starting point for all Season Ticket related information.
Have a question about when/where/how to exchange one of your Season Tickets for another game? The 2010 Season Ticket Holder Policies will provide an answer.
Speaking of exchanging tickets, by now you’ve heard that we are the first Major League Baseball team to offer exchange and credit return of you Season Tickets online. Visit the Ticket Exchange form, but only use if you actually want to exchange or return tickets. Trust us, it works.
The always faithful My A’s Tickets allows Season Ticket Holders to transfer tickets to a friend or tolerable in-law.
Yep, you can purchase Discount Parking Passes throughout the season. Save your money on most Tuesdays though. Remember, it’s Free Parking Tuesdays in 2010.
In addition to the Ticket Services Office we are still available by phone at (510) 568-5600 and email at tickets@oaklandathletics.com. We don’t intend to automate a good handshake.
Season Ticket Delivery Day
Keep an eye out the window this week for the FedEx delivery truck, your Season Tickets are on the way! The feedback we have received over the years is that opening the A’s Ticket Package and reviewing the contents equates to opening presents during the Holiday Season. Check out this link. Can you relate to the joy of Season Ticket Delivery Day? Perhaps we petition for making the day that tickets arrive a state holiday? With 82 unique ticket designs, this year’s ticket booklet looks better than ever. Featuring A’s players, fans and classic A’s images, each Season Ticket Holder will have a unique and memorable season ticket booklet. Be on the lookout for your tickets arriving inside a special gift very soon!
Remember to wait for your friends and family before you open your tickets!
Jumbo Tickets
Did you catch last week’s release regarding the 2010 season and ticket sales? You might have noticed a section dedicated to Jumbo Tickets. A’s Jumbo Tickets are game tickets with added-value. Within the barcode of each Plaza Club ticket or Value Deck ticket will be loaded value. These “Jumbo” Tickets can be used throughout the Coliseum for redemption at various concession stands for food and beverages and at merchandise stands for souvenirs. Pretty cool, right? Take a look at the Jumbo Tickets page for more information, including more details on the new Value Deck.
Free Suzuki Catcher’s Backpack with Every Renewal
Yet another reason to be an A’s Season Ticket Holder… renewed ticket accounts will receive a Kurt Suzuki backpack! Free! F’real! This backpack is an exclusive item just for A’s Season Ticket Holders. You’ll notice it even says as much on the backpack. See John model the backpack like a pro. The backpack is a unique item in the shape of Kurt’s chest protector. Though please don’t actually use it behind the plate. The backpack will accompany your ticket delivery closer to the start of the season. It’s not too late to renew your ticket plan and receive this limited edition backpack.
You may also be interested to know that the 2010 Season Ticket Holder collectors pin has been created. The pin will be mailed with your printed tickets and backpack. Do you like the pin? We do. We thought it up! If you don’t like the pin… then your obnoxious co-worker did it.
Give us a ring at 510.568.5600 to renew your ticket plan or renew online today. Go A’s!
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.”
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!
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 