Times are hard in Arizona.
Those who moved here in the last five years are most likely watching their houses be sold for pennies-on-the-dollar at auction. The population has swelled, but the number of fans making Chase Field a destination seems to have tailed off over the years.
Some will blame the color change, the ousting of Luis Gonzalez or Jerry Colangelo, or the Richie Sexson trade (there are many). Some will complain that this team is not talented, just lucky. There are many who will complain that a game is too expensive.
All of these complaints are absurd on most levels.
Gonzo and Jerry needed to be let go. This team has more talent than any other in the majors. The D-backs tickets are some of the cheapest in the majors, and definitely the cheapest pro team in town. And now that the games are only available on cable TV (and not in HD, thank you very much Fox Sports), even watching the game on TV isn't free.
So what's the problem?
Whether it was Jerry's idea to market this team to kids 10 years ago (the first pitch ever thrown at Bank One Ballpark was by two young fans that Jerry picked out), or if that is just the way things are done when you start a new team, it made sense then.
Ten years ago we contended with the Cubs, Dodgers, White Sox, Mets, Yankees, and Braves for the fans' allegiance. Kids were fans of whoever their parents were fans of (or, if you were like me, you became a Dodger fan the second Kirk Gibson crushed Eckersley's slider over the wall because it made your Oakland-loving father agonize).
You liked who you liked because your family was from there, because the team played Spring Training near by, because WGN, TBS, or KTLA was broadcast on your cable TV.
Creating new fans by breaking old bonds is not going to work. The swell of fans when the Cubs and Dodgers come in to town is evidence enough of that. The team needed to make new fans out of youngsters.
Ten years later, we have a crop of high-school- to college-age-kids who have lived most of their lives rooting for the Diamondbacks. They may not remember much before 2001, but they are fans and they are loving the direction of the team today.
For those of us who were ignored (the adults) throughout the years, we are loyal and devout. We spend our money without so much as a thank you. We write letters, blogs, articles, make signs, T-shirts, wave flags, decorate, go on road trips with the team, sleep over at the stadium, and express our love in countless other ways.
We do all of this and continue to feel ignored by the D-backs front office.
We watch kids announce the players during the fourth inning.
We watch kids get EXCLUSIVE give-aways on Sundays.
We watch kids run the bases.
We watch kids get everything in the world without having to shell out a penny. The hat shuffle, the hot dog race, the stupid dancing things, the wave, the bobcat, the T-shirt toss, the guess the attendance, the give-away, the sandlot...It goes on and on.
We continue to cater to the kids.
Of course, the logic goes that if you can get the kids to WANT to go, the parents will bring them, bringing their disposable income. As far as I can tell, however, parents are coming less and less. The cost of attending the game is just too much for parents.
I don't have kids. Actually, I really don't like kids at all, and we don't plan on having them for a long time. So I guess I don't really truly understand the problem when it comes to people with kids.
I may be way off base, but when it comes down to it, the solution seems clear to me: WHY DON'T THE D-BACKS BABYSIT FOR YOU?
My friends with kids (those who don't disappear and find other couple friends with kids) tell me that babysitters are expensive. I'm not sure if this is true, but I figure $10 an hour is a fair amount of money.
If you leave for the game at six and get home at 10:30, that's $45 that you just paid the babysitter so that you could go out and buy a couple $25 seats and watch a baseball game.
If you bought two hot dogs and split a large soda while you were at the game and left the baby sitter $10 for pizza then you ended up spending ($45+$50+$5.50+$5.50+$5.75+$10) $121.75, not including another $10 for parking.
So for one night out without your snotty rugrat you had to shell out over $130. I can see how that would run you dry pretty quick, especially on a budget.Let's look at the alternative: bringing your kid.
If you bring your kid (assuming you only have ONE), you now have to buy three seats. So that's $75 on seats. Now you have to buy an extra hot dog and extra soda. Another $5.50 and $3 for a childrens' soda.
You've now spent $100.25, not including the $10 parking. So you saved yourself $20 to bring your kid and, if you are like every parent I see, that $20 disappears every time the cotton candy guy or the rattle guy comes by.
On top of that, you inevitably have to visit the Sandlot area which causes you to miss at least five innings. You've now paid $150 to watch four innings of baseball and let your kid play at the playground. Of course there are ways to be cheap about it—
Eat before you come.
TELL YOUR KID "NO".
Make your older kid babysit.
Buy $5 seats.
Park far west on Jackson at a meter where it is free.
Fifteen dollars is a cheap night out. The wife and I maybe buy ballpark food once a week. We usually buy a bottle of water from our guy on Jefferson for $1. Our seats average out to $15 per seat per game with the season tickets.
So that means we usually spend about $31 a game, even though it only feels like we spend $1 a game. This is easy for us but not for a family. It has to get pricey over the long run.After I got married, I realized the real hit I was going to take was in buying TWO of everything.
I used to travel all the time, and one plane ticket for $200 wasn't that much to spend. Now, we have to budget for a trip because two tickets is now $400.
You see that in everything you do. Two movie tickets, two dinners, two seats at the game. Now try having a couple kids and you see the exponential increase in cost.
You get hit on everything you do. Ouch.So here is my solution:
With each adult ticket of $10 or more, you can purchase a MINOR LEAGUE ticket for $5 for your kid. Additional MINOR LEAGUE tickets are available for $10. All-You-Can-Eat passes are available for $25.
For example, if dad wants to take his two sons, as long as dad's seat cost at least $10, he will pay $15 for both of his kids ($5 for one, $10 for the other) at an average of $7.50 per kid.
Parents will bring their kids to GATE E.Gate E is a wonderful place because it allows for access to the park, a large concourse area, and access to the main offices.
Gate E now becomes the Kids' Gate. This is where parents bring their kids and drop them off with staff members. The kid is given an electronic bracelet here.
The RFID bracelet that is put on the kids can only be removed by the staff. This bracelet can be tracked and has information about the child, their parent and their ticket.
In the event that the parent needs to leave, the kid can be found immediately. In the event the kid gets hurt, the parent can be found immediately.
The parent can purchase an all-you-can-eat package with the ticket, or the parent can add a few dollars onto the child's account for s/he to make individual purchases. The bracelet will act as a debit card for the kids, allowing them to make their choices for purchases.
The kids are dropped at the gate and the parent continues on with their ticket into the stadium to enjoy their interruption-free game. Parents can stay and watch the whole game without dealing with a complaining child, and near-by fans will not have to deal with whiny children.
The kids are rounded up in the gate area until there are 20 of them. Once a group of 20 has accumulated (or a reasonable amount of time has passed), a worker takes them into the lobby and into the elevator up to the upper concourse. This helps prevent separation and ensures that kids get to where they are going.
The current Sandlot area will need to be redesigned. There will be a desk and an electronic gate that prevents people from coming or going without staff knowledge.
Inside the gate, multiple areas are set up. Baseball video games on Xbox and PS3. A ball pit. The current jungle gym setup. The hitting cages and sandlot areas. A movie area that shows different baseball-themed kids movies that alternate depending on the game.
And of course, a mini concession stand selling children's corn dogs, hot dogs, soda, ice cream, etc. Kids can use their bracelets to make purchases using the money that their parents added earlier in the night.
Baxter can visit this area and entertain the kids while they play. This provides the solution to multiple problems. Parents are now only obligated to pay $5 for almost five hours of baby sitting. The parent can watch the game without worrying about their kids OR missing any of the game.
This also gives the stupid Rally Backs something to do that will keep them from annoying me and from tossing T-shirts every inning.I honestly think that this is the type of thing that will make kids want to come to the game AND make their parents want to bring them. Attendance figures will go up and you will make those who like to sit and enjoy the game happy because they will not have their seat kicked, view obstructed, etc.
If the idea proves to be widely popular, the price can be adjusted accordingly. Get the kids out of the seats and start treating the fans like adults. Do decent give-aways and treat the the fans like they've seen a game before.
Derrick Hall, I hope you are listening.
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2 months ago
I don't even know what to say to this. You need to move to China where they abort all the children. This is crazy! Why do you hate children so much? You come across as jealous of kids because the stadium entertainment caters to them.
I'm a die hard Diamondback fan and I love that they've created a family friendly environment for kids. I love that they are planting the seeds for future generations of Diamondback fans. You live in Phoenix man, this is a city of transplants. I get what you're saying - some of our fans are real softies and a lot of the people attending the games do so because it's something to do - not because they love the team. I also don't like having to watch my mouth or my language at a baseball game. But I've got my first kid on the way - and she will be sitting on my lap at every game I go to with a little D Baks hat on - and my wife and I won't be inconvenienced in the slightest bit. She'll be telling Dodger and Giant fans to piss off when she's 3 years old.
By the way - Mustard wins 95% of the time. Money in the bank. Next game you go to - bet the closest kid that mustard wins. Then you can take the kids corn dog and feel better about yourself and your Diamondback experience.
from 2 months ago
Actually mustard is losing in the standing this year. Last I checked last night, Relish and Ketchup were tied with 7 wins a piece while mustard trailed with 5. I may be wrong and will have to check my scorebook, but I know Mustard is losing.
The fact that you think mustard wins 95% of the time only shows me that you never go to the games. The fact that you aren't "inconvenienced" by your (future) kid just shows how selfish you are. I'm sure you will have your kid on your lap - blocking the five people next to you's view of home plate. The seats are designed at an angle so that people need to sit in them with their back against the seat and need to sit upright without a kid on their lap. The people who don't do this are so selfish. They block everyone else's view behind them. They are the people who think it is cute to let their 2 year old try and walk up or down the stairs which takes 20 minutes and gets in the way of everyone else.
Do I think we need population controls? No. Do I think you should have to pass a test to have a kid? Ya. The population just keeps getting dumber because the poor have multiple children while the rich and intelligent have only one (if any).
I don't have any problem with people bringing their kids to the ballpark. But make them sit and watch the game like a responsible parent. Too often do they jump around, bounce in their seat, kick the seat backs, beg for food, run up and down the aisle, hang on the railing, etc. You want to be responsible for your kid, GREAT. Your kid wants to act like an normal human when in public, WONDERFUL. But when they act like bulls in a China shop and the parents just laugh or ignore it - it is rude. They are the same people who let their kids throw tantrums in the store and forget that everyone else in the store doesn't want to hear your whiny spawn.
Family Friendly is ONE thing - Kid Friendly is another. How about treating the parents to something? Last year they had maybe one ADULT-EXCLUSIVE event and it was Single's Night. That was it. They have exclusive Kid's giveaways on Sunday but never exclusive Adult giveaways. When Gila River CASINO gives out Margarita Glasses, Gila River INDIAN COMMUNITY gives out drink cups. When I wanted to exchange my margarita glass for a drink cup they wouldn't let me. Hmmm, I don't drink, I don't gamble (okay, I do but I shouldn't), I would like a PRACTICAL cup....but no, I'm over the age of 15 so I'm denied. I call BS.
I've been to 20 stadiums around the country, Yankee Stadium has kids at it yet they have no mascot, no stupid red/blue dancing things, no kids sundays, no retarded hot dog video. They seem to do well developing fans. Go figure, right?
In any event, you missed the point of my article. I'm not trying to create a kid-free environment. I'm trying to create a solution to two groups of people. Kids who really aren't interested in watching the game and parents who would like to watch the game but can't because of the cost or because of their child's ADD. The people who sit next to me have a wonderful little girl who is sweet and sits and watches the game for all 9 innings. The people across from me have a 14 year old girl who actually keeps score. I don't have an issue with them. More of them please. But you know, as well as I do, that the ballpark is not a playground. Just because children are allowed does not mean that they can act however they want. I guess I put it like this - You Wouldn't Let Your Kid Act Like That In A Movie Theatre...So Why Is It Okay At The Ballpark?
2 months ago
Agreed. Whole heartedly. What you speak of is a problem in society - not baseball. I too have been to Yankee stadium, as well as Wrigley Field and Camden. The difference is one of culture my friend. If they didn't do all the stupid gimmicks at the Diamondback games, hardly anyone would show up. Phoenix, Arizona is not and never will be a sports town like NY, Boston, or Chicago. This is just a fact we have to accept.
You, myself, and the rest of the die-hards. We have a freaking pool in Right Center! This is reality. It sucks when other teams come through and they give us real fans crap for our greater fan base being a bunch of moronic fickle kid pandering bandwagon riders. I get it.
Go Mustard.
2 months ago
Arizona Diamondbacks attendance has been trending upward for the past 3 seasons and if you compare this year to last using same opponents they are continuing to increase the number of fans. Season ticket renewals were in the 98 percent range meaning those who had season tickets felt they got value for their entertainment dollar. Does this mean that they are selling out every game? Obviously not; but it does mean that they are slowly increasing their fan base. The goal in marketing to children is to gain a brand awareness that will hopefully continue to mature as they do. If they go to enough games with their parents as children they will develop into fans themselves. I've been taking my family to Bank One Ballpark/Chase Field since its inception and I would venture a guess that my kids have probably gone to more games than you yourself have attended. My youngest was less than a year old on Opening Day 1998 and I would have been one of those fathers who "takes 20 minutes and gets in the way of everyone else" as we got to our seats. For the first season he probably annoyed people like you and I can honestly say I didn't think about that and if I had I wouldn't have cared what a bitter old man like you thought anyway. Maybe I was selfish but my wife and I were going to the game and we were bringing him along. We didn't find angry guy who was mad that he couldn't see. We found fans like us who were enjoying the game and we got a lot of comments from people about how they should really bring their kids. As my son got older he was a regular at the games. He watched some innings and went to play during others. He began to develop a love for the game and constantly asked to go to the ballpark. Now at 11 he knows all the players by batting stance, he can list off game situations that have occurred during the Diamondbacks brief history, he has become personal friends with a couple of the Diamondbacks players, and is a lifetime Diamondbacks fan. None of this would have occurred if the Diamondbacks had followed your plan of regulating kids to a minor league play because you don't like kids.
I would much prefer to sit by a kid that bounces around in his seat standing and sitting and being rambunctious than sit by a drunk who spills beer all over and gets more excited that some other inebriated fan is starting the wave. Last night I sat in behind 4 adults who were so intoxicated before entering the stadium that they could barely walk down the aisle way (they took 20 minutes and got in my way). For 4 innings I had to endure as they pondered whether to be sick in their seats or try to get back up to the top to a bathroom. They stood up every time the beer vendor was within ear shot. Next to them sat a group who seemed to think that the game started at 7:45 PM and ended at 8:20 PM and included stretching exercises whenever the pitcher started their windup. Next to me sat a couple that averaged 290 pounds. Whether they sat back in their seats or not there was no way I was going to see the game without leaning forward or sitting as high as possible. Does that mean I might have blocked the view of someone else? Perhaps but sometimes that's life and you deal with it. None of these fans could be classified as children other than by their behavior. For you to single out children as the problem is short-sighted and grossly inaccurate. I respect that you have chosen not to have kids. Looking at your demeanor I am sure there are educators everywhere that are also grateful so they don't have to deal with you as a parent.
Oh and as of last night (May 14) the breakdown in the condiment Hot Dog races were: Mustard - 10 wins, Relish - 7 wins, Ketchup - 7 wins. Last season Relish won 31 followed by Mustard at 29 and Ketchup with 25. To paraphrase your own comment, "The fact that you think mustard is losing only shows me that you never go to the games."
Perhaps a more interesting article would have been to explore what happened between 2004 and 2005 that resulted in the Diamondbacks attendance dropping nearly 500,000. Is this attributed to the 111 losses in 2004 or was it indicative of the fan's lack of confidence in the direction this team was going?
from 2 months ago
Hey, Last I checked, 10/24 is not 98%. I also stated that I didn't have my score book on me and that I could be wrong. After I got home, I did look and see that it was, as you stated, 9-7-7 (at the time). That still doesn't mean mustard wins every game so get a grip.
In any event, for the life of me I cannot understand why you people cannot read. It is amazing to me. I am clearly offering this AS AN OPTION for parents who don't want their rowdy kids taking away from their evening. THIS IS FOR PARENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE GOTTEN A BABYSITTER. Do you also believe that because Children's World Day Care exists, you are not allowed to leave you kid at home? For you people who want to bring your kid and teach them the intricacies of the game, be my guest. I'm happy to see young fans who enjoy the game and watch the game. I don't hate kids, I hate that parents can't control them. There are parents who just bring their kids because they can't find/afford a baby sitter. There are kids who come who couldn't possibly care less about baseball. Aren't OPTIONS what this country is all about? I'm sure that there are parents who think the Ikea shopping experience warrants bringing their kids along but they still have the play area for them. These options don't mean that children are not allowed in the store. It is there for those who wish to use it.
As far as fat, drunk, idiotic fans go....the hypocrisy of someone who blocked and annoyed tons of other fans to go and call out inebriated people who do the same thing is just wonderful. I've seen plenty of parents who can manage to control their kids and get them to and from their seats without causing a fuss or doing it with two on and one out with a full count. You should be able to manage that. Don't get on the people in front of you when you did the same thing.
Get there on time. If you have to get up, do it between innings and return between innings. Don't do the stupid wave. Don't stand up to get your wallet, take out your money, wait for your change, put your drink down, admire the view, call your friend who you saw 3 hours ago and wave to him across the park, and then decide it is time to sit down. Keep your kid in his seat. Sit in your seat, not the one 15 rows in front of you that no one is using ten pitches in to the game. Cheer for two strikes, not just on the last out. Wait until you actually know it is going to be a home run before you stand up and cheer like an idiot for a F9. Don't drink too much. Don't spill your drink on any of your neighbors. Stay and watch the game; don't leave with two outs, you aren't beating any traffic. Don't bring the mitt if you can't catch. Don't give dirty looks when someone is harassing the opposing outfielder. Booing is a perfectly acceptable way to show displeasure with a home OR away team. Cursing around children (much less at all) is not welcome. Don't wear your damn Boston hat - they aren't playing and you can't name anyone on the team before 2003.
Yes AZ fans are stupid. They do the wave. They cheer only when the board tells them. They don't even realize that Stephen Drew is a home run away from the cycle. They are fickle and inattentive. But why is that? Because they continue to treat fans like they've never seen a baseball game before. Maybe if they let the fans dictate the culture instead of imposing it on us, you would see a fan base closer to NY or Chicago. After all, everyone seems to be from there anyway.
2 months ago
Your comment was that you knew Mustard was losing. I corrected you. My grip is perfectly fine but thanks for asking. I didn't suggest Mustard was winning 98% of the time. In actuality no one suggested 98% except you in your comment. I do find it interesting that you claim that you deplore the Hot Dog Races but that you seem to be tracking that in your scorebook as though it is a meaningful stat to the game outcome. No harm in that, I track it also. I do it though because I got tired of being put on the spot when everyone around me asked who had won the previous 3-4 games and I didn't know.
My reading and my comprehension skills are quite good and according to the stars I received on my report cards my teachers agreed that was a skill I had mastered proficiently. I understand it was an option that you were proposing. I merely wanted to make you aware of some nuances in your plan that seemed in my opinion short-sighted or aimed at the wrong crowd. I am under the belief as are many parents that it is better to spend some time with their kids rather than have them locked away with an RFID bracelet in case they "escape". Does that mean that I am going to spend 100% of my time with my child? Probably not but I would guess that when you take your wife to the games that you don't spend 100% of your time by her side either. Does this mean we should propose that there be a "special section" for fans who don't want to spend every waking moment at the game with their spouse? That would be ludicrous, so why suggest the same for parents with children? In my situation I would gladly take my kids to a game if they asked. The reason for this is two-fold. First, any time a child wants to spend time with a parent they should leap at the chance. Continually saying no because you as a parent do not want to be inconvenienced or inconvenience someone else will result in the child not asking and before long you have alienated that kid and are no longer a part of their lives. Sure they may want to go to Chase Field to see Baxter or to play in Futures Field but even if they watch just 1 inning of baseball with you it can form an important bond that could grow into something special or turn them into a diehard baseball fan. So while there will never be kids especially small children who will sit quietly for an entire game, it doesn't take that amount of dedication to become a baseball fan.
I was not calling out drunk idiotic fans, what I was providing was an example to show that poor fan behavior or lack of knowledge was not an age issue but rather a cultural one. I didn't make a scene last night nor were there any words exchanged between me and these fans. I just took it as baseball karma and while I may have been lax in being a conscientious fan at some point this was the baseball gods returning the favor. After the game I didn’t think to run to the Internet and propose an option where we quarantine all drunk, obnoxious, or stupid fans because they are ruining the game for me. I just chalked it up to the way things are when you choose to go to the game. Even though it may have been frustrating, it was still part of the baseball experience and I would rather be at the game than at home watching it on television.
I can manage my kids just fine. We seem to be able to make it down to Chase Field as the gates open and we do ok getting through batting practice, pre-game ceremonies, and the game itself. The kids don’t complain when the game goes extra innings; they view that as free baseball since we only paid to see 9 innings and we are getting more than that. They understand that sometimes games go late and that they may be tired for school the next day. And sometimes they have to sit next to people who think children should be seen and not heard or segregated away from the other paying fans. We get that just fine.
And we appreciate your tips to fans everywhere. We’ll make note to keep our money in the pocket to the seat cushion so as not to inadvertently lean forward distracting your view. We’ll tip the vendors with the remaining change so that the disruption is to a minimum. We won’t drink so we don’t have to worry about putting it down. We’ll only admire the view quietly from our seats where we sit motionlessly so that you can see the game. We’ll warn the children that they must stay sitting at all times in case it may irritate angry guy and result in irrational web postings. We will cheer without sudden movements for all 2 strikes for the home team. We will wait until a player is rounding third or the JumboTron tells us it is time before we stand and cheer for a home run; no wait we are not allowed to do what the JumboTron says so we’ll just watch angry guy and when he cheers so will we. We won’t drink and we’ll apologize if a drop of liquid escapes whatever drink that is around us. We will sit in our seats until the usher comes down and tells us it is time to leave and the game is over. We won’t bring a glove to the game for we know angry guy will protect us if a foul ball does enter our section as he will be the only one allowed to leave his seat. We’ll maintain a positive attitude and not boo anyone or look at any other fan for fear of perhaps offending them. We don’t curse and will not chastise anyone else who does. And we’ll commit to memory the names Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski, Doug Griffin, Rico Petrocelli, Rick Burleson, Jim Rice, Fred Lynn, Dwight Evans, Cecil Cooper, Bernie Carbo, and Dennis Doyle in case anyone wearing a Boston Red Sox fan doesn’t know a name of a player.
Following your guidelines I am sure we’ll quickly be recognized as the best baseball town in America. Perhaps you should write these up in bullet form and see if you can have a sign made to be posted in the rotunda at Chase Field. Or even go one step further and have them printed out and require all fans to sign them as they purchase tickets so that they understand your expectations. You’re right, the Diamondbacks have been coddling the fans. It’s time they put their foot down and demand that fans begin acting like those in New York or Chicago otherwise their tickets will be revoked and they can take their stinking misbehaving kids and go to a Coyotes game. Because wouldn’t you rather be sitting with a crowd of 8,000 people who act like they are from New York or Chicago instead of pandering to the 21,447 that did go to last night’s game? Then we can deal with the real problem which is how do we get more transplants from New York and Illinois.
from 2 months ago
Actually yes, Greg stated that I should bet on Mustard because it wins 95% of the time. I was pointing out that they were all about the same in the win column. Yes, I write it down, because people ask and I want to know if there is a bias or if it is just randomly chosen who wins (resulting in a 33% split...with Onion winning from no where that one time). It's baseball, we count everything.
And yes, you would be a better fan if you did all of those things. Yes, they should be posted. You should have to take a freaking test in order to get in. If i have to listen to one more idiotic conversation about who gets the win, I may punch someone. I would absolutely LOVE a game full of 8,000 knowledgeable fans over a crowd of 21000 that sits on their hands when Stephen Drew walks up after going 4-4 and is a home run away from the cycle. New York fans and Chicago fans have their problems, I've written about them before. At the very least, they can figure out the good from the bad. They don't stop coming because the Yankees put names on the backs of their jerseys or because the Cubs change their logo. They don't cry and protest when Bernie Williams or Tino Martinez doesn't get re-signed. They understand the business of baseball and the game of baseball.
If you really think that someone needs to stand up the entire time they are purchasing something from a vendor then you've got something wrong with you. I don't seem to have any problem getting my wallet while I sit down, you shouldn't either. I can get money out of it and hand it to a vendor without feeling the need to inconvenience 5 rows worth of people. It doesn't really seem like too much to ask for someone not to spill their beer all over your back or the stuff under your seat. If they do, however, an apology is most certainly due. If your spawn wants to run around in the aisle, be prepared for him to trip and fall and hurt himself. Don't be surprised if it's my foot that does the tripping either. Also don't be surprised when I start yelling at you for being an inconsiderate jerk.
People who wear Boston Red Sox gear to Dbacks games that don't involve the Red Sox are idiots. People who support them and bring them are idiots. I shouldn't spot 15 people every game wearing some sort of Red Sox paraphernalia. You should memorize those names. Every baseball fan should. The people who wear the hat haven't got a clue and are just trying to be trendy.
You may think that you and the ignorant majority are in the right, but you're not. Just because a majority of the Dbacks' fans do the wave doesn't make it an appropriate baseball game activity and just because you can't manage to refrain from exaggerating reasonable suggestions to be point of hyperbole doesn't mean that I'm not right. We've got a whole swath of real fans who sit around us who actually like to watch the game and don't appreciate missing strike three or a diving grab because you fail to understand that there is also a baseball game going on. The polite Arizona-way of minding your own business doesn't fly in my world and you'll get told exactly how to handle yourself if you can't act like a civilized human in my presence.
Finally, I do spend 100% of the game with my wife. We spent 100% of the game actually watching the game as well. This concept may be difficult for you, but I shell out my money for a season's worth of baseball tickets and I intend to get a season's worth of baseball. If you want father-son time, go to the park and take a radio. That way you can disturb all of your neighbors in the suburbs by listening to something that doesn't involve an orange ball and a rim.
2 months ago
"Finally, I do spend 100% of the game with my wife."
That's awesome! You'll have to let everyone know how that whole "guy in the ladies room" thing plays out. That should be a great post that all your literary fans can't wait to read.
from 2 months ago
Unlike you, I don't have to get up every 10 minutes to buy food or take my spawn to the bathroom. We adults are able to sit for three hours without disrupting an entire section. Get a clue. Not everyone has to go the bathroom every twenty minutes like you.
2 months ago
Jeff, you have really got yourself confused. What makes you think that a man who spends 100% of his time at the game with his wife is the "guy in the ladies room?" Did you ever stop to consider, even for one second, that I can possibly love the game as much if not more than a man can? Did you stop to think that my husband and I alternate keeping score each inning? Imagine that, a woman who is crazy about baseball, who probably owns more team merchandise than you could ever dream of. I love my team and follow them faithfully and I balk at the idea of a "fan" like yourself who dares to think that only men could love this sport. I'm a woman in the locker room, get over it. Get over your bigoted selfish self and learn to be a real baseball fan.
2 months ago
Glenn,
Fun thread.
Although I side with Jeff that adults are typically a much bigger pain in the ass than kids, you're certainly entitled to your own experience and opinion - and the babysitting option is a thought provoking idea. I'm sure it sounds a little too "Chinese" for some, compartmentalizing families like that and jars some traditional notions of what a family should be, but the financial part of your argument is actually pretty compelling.
Objectively speaking, Diamondback single game tickets are nowhere near the cheapest in MLB, nor are they subjectively, as reflected by a recent si.com poll of more than 8000 local respondents, which found Chase Field among the LEAST affordable in the majors. Combine that structural disconnect with recent economic pressures, and anything that takes the bite out of babysitting costs is worthy of at least preliminary consideration.
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