"Sox Management Owes More To Fans..."

[PatK]

Originally Posted by Harry Potter

The violence argument is a joke especially when it has been much more dangerous in the area immediately surrounding Wrigley Field than US Cellular Field as of late.

I live up in Lakeview and the increase in violence up that area is rather alarming.

You just had someone getting their throat slit in Wrigleyville (same night as a night game), and someone got killed outside the park after a game a couple of years ago.

The "violent neighborhood" argument is old, tired, and should be dead and buried.

[Thome25]

Originally Posted by kobo

Supposed lack of funds? You don't know what each individual fan can and cannot afford. I was unemployed for almost 2 years and just recently found a job. Guess what, I have no money right now. In my situation I need to get some bills paid and get back on my feet, but if I could afford to go to a game I would. As it stands now, unless I find ticket codes for half off to a game I am not going to go see a game. That's the reality and I'm sure I'm not the only one with this type of situation.

It's outrageous that a ticket to a baseball game costs upwards of $50 a game. The Sox play 81 home games every year. I understand that payroll is high, but still, it's baseball. I have plenty of opportunities to go to a game if I am able, but it doesn't mean I have to or are willing to spend that kind of money for a ballgame.

That's why I used the word "supposed". As in "alleged" or I'm not entirely sure whether Sox fans lack of funds or not. Look it up.

But, it has been said in this thread and in other places that fans can't fit the Sox into their budgets.

[guillensdisciple]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mostil

Interesting to see the Brewers are the cheapest ticket in baseball: just 90 miles away from two of the most expensive.

I've thought of, but have yet to pulled the trigger on, taking my youngest to Milwaukee to see them. Not sure yet if $9 parking and upper-deck tix behind the plate for about $20 would offset the drive and a team five games under .500 . . .

This is about a dozen years ago now, but when I lived in SoCal both the Dodgers and Angels had very well advertised "family" packages: four tix, four dogs, four drinks, and a souvenir for about $40. I can't remember if parking was included, and I've no idea what such a package might now cost.

Edit: it's $18 to $42 per ticket now for select Wednesday and Sunday games (http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/la...valuepacks.jsp).

Awesome deals, just awesome. They pack that place up on a year to year basis. Los Angeles is a historic franchise playing in a big market. Hmmmm the white sox have a smaller fan base and inconsistent attendance- I wonder....

In all honesty though, I have tried my hardest to buy tickets and fit the sox in. Had I not had the ability to ask my parents for an extra 10 bucks, I would probably be screwed. Ye I got nice parents, but when I leave this summer I probably won't go to a sox game for a while. Being out of state will be part of the reason, but even when i'm back to visit I'm not going to budget the sox in there with the money I won't have.

This is essentially the last year the sox take more money than they should from me.

[Jerko]

Price aside, one of the problems as I see it, and I've been saying so for years, is this: When you DO go to a game, and it's a light crowd, or a day game, or the team stinks, or whatever, the place is staffed like they can't wait for the game to be over, and a lot of the people working there can't wait until we leave. Sitting in the LF corner and want a slice? Walk to the fan deck, the stand in left center is closed. Need a cold beer on the concourse in right center? Sorry, the permanent stand is closed, go chase a vendor or go to the fan deck. Need a chair so you can sit with your disabled friend or family member behind the last row of seats? Go 3 sections over to find an usher, maybe you'll get a metal chair younger than you before 3 innings pass. Parking? Well, you can park here if you have this pass, you cant park there without that pass, and cash only is over dere. Want to sit on the fan deck? Well, some nights it's open, some nights it's not. And I LIKE going to games. My point is, people that attend as a passing fancy probably don't come back after a typical in-park Sox experience.

[kobo]

Originally Posted by Thome25

That's why I used the word "supposed". As in "alleged" or I'm not entirely sure whether Sox fans lack of funds or not. Look it up.

But, it has been said in this thread and in other places that fans can't fit the Sox into their budgets.

No need to get pissy with me. You're the one who seems to not believe when people say they can't afford to go to a game.

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by Jerko

Price aside, one of the problems as I see it, and I've been saying so for years, is this: When you DO go to a game, and it's a light crowd, or a day game, or the team stinks, or whatever, the place is staffed like they can't wait for the game to be over, and a lot of the people working there can't wait until we leave. Sitting in the LF corner and want a slice? Walk to the fan deck, the stand in left center is closed. Need a cold beer on the concourse in right center? Sorry, the permanent stand is closed, go chase a vendor or go to the fan deck. Need a chair so you can sit with your disabled friend or family member behind the last row of seats? Go 3 sections over to find an usher, maybe you'll get a metal chair younger than you before 3 innings pass. Parking? Well, you can park here if you have this pass, you cant park there without that pass, and cash only is over dere. Want to sit on the fan deck? Well, some nights it's open, some nights it's not. And I LIKE going to games. My point is, people that attend as a passing fancy probably don't come back after a typical in-park Sox experience.

It's one of the least fan-friendly ballparks I've visited in the past few years (I've been to about 10 in that time) as far as a convenience/niceness/"I'd really like to come back here again" feeling.

[Domeshot17]

Originally Posted by Thome25

I don't think the issue is with the fans on this website. We are diehards who love the team enough to join a fan site and have/do go to as many games as we can.

The problem is that IMO the White Sox fanbase as a whole consists of far too many fans that could be considered casual/fair weather.

I think you are way off personally. I would not consider myself fair weather at all. Probably watch all, if not most of, every game on TV unless I am out for the night. I used to go to 10-15 games a year.

That said, I have a 9 month old son. His first baseball game? The IHSA Final 4. His Next Game? Joliet Slammers at the same field. Would I love to take him to a Sox game, sure, but when you factor in the 140 bucks for 2 good seats (I am not lugging a 9 month old around the Upper Deck), then another 40 bucks to eat, 25 to park, it becomes a 200 dollar night out.

Sorry, but a .500 ish team that doesn't consistently make the playoffs, had a manager who trashed the fans, has a GM who blames the fans, and has a VP of marketing that doesn't even understand who his fan base is, yah, I will take that 200 bucks and do something else.

The White Sox have ruined the White Sox Experience. They are trying so hard to be something they are not, to attract fans that they don't have and won't be coming, is a joke.

I am sorry, but I better have 200 dollars worth of fun at a Sox Game and with this team you won't. I would not pay 200 bucks to eat at McDonalds either.

I think the final straw for me was last year. I realize you can't have a one size fits all approach to fans, all 40k are different. But as someone who has to evaluate market/consumer trends, if there was a forum dedicated to making my job easier, I would view it everyday. I had a long email exchange with Brooks, and it was frustrating. We talked about some common problems at the park, and Brooks answers were basically deal with it or don't go.

[TomBradley72]

Originally Posted by Jerko

Price aside, one of the problems as I see it, and I've been saying so for years, is this: When you DO go to a game, and it's a light crowd, or a day game, or the team stinks, or whatever, the place is staffed like they can't wait for the game to be over, and a lot of the people working there can't wait until we leave. Sitting in the LF corner and want a slice? Walk to the fan deck, the stand in left center is closed. Need a cold beer on the concourse in right center? Sorry, the permanent stand is closed, go chase a vendor or go to the fan deck. Need a chair so you can sit with your disabled friend or family member behind the last row of seats? Go 3 sections over to find an usher, maybe you'll get a metal chair younger than you before 3 innings pass. Parking? Well, you can park here if you have this pass, you cant park there without that pass, and cash only is over dere. Want to sit on the fan deck? Well, some nights it's open, some nights it's not. And I LIKE going to games. My point is, people that attend as a passing fancy probably don't come back after a typical in-park Sox experience.

Well said!

One of the best examples I can remember of the White Sox "cheapness" was in the 90's when the 'souvenir" cups early in the season were the leftovers from the previous season. Reminded me of the scene from "Eight Men Out" with the stale champagne.

I've been to 20+ MLB ballparks- many when the attendance for a given game was in the 10-15,000 range- and I've NEVER experience the bull**** described in this post.

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

We talked about some common problems at the park, and Brooks answers were basically deal with it or don't go.

Well, at least he adopted the Sox' philosophy of the past few decades!

[hawkjt]

Originally Posted by greenpeach

I went to Dodger Stadium last weekend to watch the Sox play the Dodgers. My upper deck ticket (good view) was $7 & parking on site was only $10 per car. Next time I'm in California, I will not hesitate to take in another game or two.

This needs to be sent to Brooks....Dodgers have the best record in baseball,and they are selling at this price? Maybe Hawk should also be made aware of the price disparity.

[FielderJones]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

I had a long email exchange with Brooks, and it was frustrating. We talked about some common problems at the park, and Brooks answers were basically deal with it or don't go.

Incredible. Charge top tier prices when the demand is not there, blame the fans for not filling up the park when the prices are too high, and then tell us don't go if you don't want to.




And take your incompetent marketing department with you.

[Thome25]

I personally don't understand the White Sox fanbase sometimes. We complain that the team doesn't spend enough and as a result doesn't put good talent out on the field.

Then payroll goes up a lot over the last 5 to 7 years and as a result so do tickets, concessions, and parking and now our problem is that prices are too high.

We can't have it both ways with this ownership.

Sure, large market clubs like the Dodgers may have lower prices but, their ownership also draws more so they can afford to lower prices. The Sox draw less so ownership is trying to make up the difference by raising prices on those who do come...which may or may not be the best businessd practice. (IMO it's the latter)

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by Thome25

I personally don't understand the White Sox fanbase sometimes. We complain that the team doesn't spend enough and as a result doesn't put good talent out on the field.

Then payroll goes up a lot over the last 5 to 7 years and as a result so do tickets, concessions, and parking and now our problem is that prices are too high.

...and they still don't have good talent out on the field.

[Lip Man 1]

Thome:

Fine. But the Sox need to actually win something more than going to the playoff once every five to 10 years.

But the facts are they aren't....two World Series appearances since 1917.

If you want to charge like the Yankees you damn sure need to win like them no?

Lip

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

Thome:

Fine. But the Sox need to actually win something more than going to the playoff once every five to 10 years.

But the facts are they aren't....two World Series appearances since 1917.

If you want to charge like the Yankees you damn sure need to win like them no?

Correct, Lip.

I tell ya - if fans sold out the park every day, I still wouldn't trust this regime to spend the money right.