http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/bi...icket-plans-cheaper-than-one-Y?urn=mlb,145123 Flush with cash these days? Have a little extra cheese to spend? Always wanted to call yourself a Yankees seaon ticket holder? Well, you're in luck! Over on Yankees.com, they're advertising that there's still time to be a part of the inaugural season ticket holder class at new Yankee Stadium. Yes, for only $26,325 (plus additional shipping and packaging and online fees) you can own tickets for a field level seat to all 81 home games in 2009. Busting out the ol' abacus, that works out to be exactly $325 each game, or roughly the amount CC Sabathia will receive for each dugout step he climbs to the field. Of course, if you want to bring anybody, the price doubles, so you'd be on the hook for $650 each game ? a luxury car payment, really ? before you even think about buying an overpriced beer, a replica Mark Teixeira jersey or town car service to avoid rubbing shoulders with the plebes while riding the subway. Dumbfounded? Blown away? Just remembering your kid who wants to go to college? Rethinking that expenditure? But still interested in the honor and prestige of being called a season ticket holder, nonetheless? Well, you're still in luck! Turns out that there are 29 other teams in the league that also play baseball and some even offer full season ticket plans that cost much less than your two tickets to just one game at new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees even come to town to play some of these teams, so it's conceivable you could fly to a city, stay at a nice hotel and maybe even have a few nice meals for much less than the cost of just one homestand in the Bronx. Here on the Stew, we've taken the liberty of collecting information on baseball's cheapest season ticket plans and posting it below. Almost all of them cost less than two field level seats to new Yankee Stadium and some of them are even cheaper than just one seat. Sure, it's not quite the filet mignon they're serving up in the Bronx, but you'd be surprised at some of the quality teams that are offering bargains. Plus, the bases are still 90 feet apart, the pitchers' mound is still 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate and the surrounding 'hood might even smell a little better than the one around Yankee Stadium. So who has the cheapest season ticket plans in all of baseball? Cheapest season ticket in baseball: Blue Jays* ? $95 season pass OK, so this one's a bit misleading. The Jays' season pass isn't a season ticket, per se. Rather, it's a card that will get you into all 81 home games if the holder shows up to the ticket window at least 45 minutes before game time, he or she gets to sit in a 500-level seat that day. Not exactly an ideal plan for those who might get tied up at work, but fantastic for those who like to show up early and for people who enjoy attending random games while cashing in on a serious bargain. Plus you never have to worry about getting rid of your extras. OK, now the cheapest guaranteed full season ticket plans. (Prices are per seat.) 1. Braves ? $249 upper pavilion: Not only do the Braves have the cheapest "true" season-ticket plan, they also feature another section in Turner Field priced at $415 for a season seat, while three other sections are offered at a "Buy Two, Get Two Free" rate that is becoming very popular with many teams. 2. Twins ? $250 'season cheap seats': The opportunity to see the M&M Lumber Co. at just $3.08 a game has to rank as one of sport's best bargains, especially since it'll qualify you for postseason tickets you might actually get to use. However, you'll have to spend 81 soul-sucking days inside the Metrodome when you could be outside in during the 17 beautiful days of Minnesota summer. Also, your purchase won't qualify you for priority seating when Target Field opens next season. 3. Dodgers ? $336 top deck: An absolutely unreal price for a major-market team, but the price is somewhat offset by the top deck's blimp-type view, the Chavez Ravine rowdies you'll have to endure and the chance that your thirst for a good deal is preventing the McCourts from getting the Manny Ramirez deal done. Still, blue-clad beggars can't be choosers and Vin Scully comes in just as clear on your transistor up in the Dodger Stadium cheap seats. 4. Pirates ? $399 Left, right and outfield grandstand: Sure, you'll have to stomach an entire season of watching the Pirates play, but you'll also be able to enjoy warm summer nights at PNC Park (right), one of the best ballparks in the majors. Being stuck in the upper deck isn't a problem, either. The park's highest seat is only 88 feet above the field (an MLB best) and you'll get a great view of downtown Pittsburgh and on promotional firework nights. 5. Diamondbacks ? $415 outfield reserve:The D'backs play in one of America's most struggling economies and a lot has been written about how they plan to stay afloat in such a market. But for around $5 a game, you can sit in the corners of Chase Field's upper deck and enjoy other cost-cutting measures the team is instituting ? from $8 hats and t-shirts to $1.50 hot dogs for kids. 6. Royals ? $567 view level: When I lived in Kansas City, the cheap Hy-vee View Level seats were always the solution for a nightly boredom problem. Not that I ever sat in the seats, of course. Lax ushers at Kauffman Stadium and an average attendance of below 20,000 means you can usually sit wherever you want. (Honestly, the only times you'll need to climb to the upper deck seats is if the Yankees, Red Sox or Cardinals are in town.) 7. A's ? $584 plaza reserved: Oakland Coliseum may not be the best place to watch a game, but it's great in the fact that you can sit by dedicated diehards if you wish or choose an entire section to yourself if you're into a more laidback atmosphere. All for under $8 a game. 8. Reds ? $591 bleachers: You won't be able to see the scoreboard or HD screen all season long without turning and craning your neck skyward. But at least you're in the lower level and, again, who says you have to sit there? 9. Marlins ? $607 "Fish Tank": Seems like this package should be a lot cheaper, given that the Marlins averaged an MLB-worst 16,688 fans in 2008. Then again, the Yankees are coming to town for a 2003 World Series rematch this year and we've seen what the presence of pinstripes can do to the overall price of a season plan. 10. Rockies ? $648 left and right field reserved: Seats in Coors Field famed "Rock Pile" are only $4, but they're not available for purchase in a season ticket package. That means you'll have to settle for enjoying your Blue Moon and an order of Rocky Mountain oysters while sitting (at least a little) closer to the field. 11. Giants ? $672 "Gamer": Would you eventually tire of 40-degree games in June and overdose on your mainline of garlic fries? Yes. Would you ever get tired of being guaranteed tickets every time Tim Lincecum takes the mound at AT&T Park? Not a chance. (Plus you might get a shot at a Crazy Crab bobblehead, which you could easily sell on eBay to make up the $22 overage between this plan and two Yankees tickets.) 12. Rays ? $748 upper deck: OK, so there's almost a $100 difference between an entire season of Rays baseball and one parking-, food- and beer-free game at Yankee Stadium. But an American League pennant is worth the extra cost ... wouldn't you say?
While I agree that good Yankee tickets are absurdly expensive, the difference between two field level seats in NY and one upper deck seat in TB is a rather unfair comparison. Tampa Bay offers field box seats for $70/game in their season ticket package... so they're five times cheaper, but is that really unexpected, considering the difference between Tampa and New York, never mind that we're talking about a brand new stadium as opposed to a dump? You could also buy a season ticket package for bleacher seats at the new Yankee Stadium for $972 ($12/game). Now, would I pay an extra $222 to see every game in the Yanks' new stadium from the bleachers as opposed to sitting in the upper deck for 81 games in Tampa? In a heartbeat. And if I may preempt an already old joke... yes, that includes the obstructed view seats from the bleachers.
Wow the deal in Pittsburgh seems awesome, I bet those are great seats too. I'd stomach the Pirates for great seats at that price. Actually I just looked and they aren't that great. I have sat in the left field reserved seats in Coors Field and they are fantastic seats. So 648 bucks for 1 seat and 81 games breaks down to about 8 dollars a game, now I have Chargers season tickets and my seats aren't terrible but I pay about 200 dollars a game for them.
But the seats you are quoting are the cheap seats. Above field level. The good seats I believe are 1000 per seat per game. The Dark blue seats on ticket master along the lines. Oh, and they are totally sold out which is why you don't see them on the site. https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/pack_searchtix.htmI?l=EN&CNTX=2c09164b5be20e32ae944549c5652393
At least in the Yankee cheap seats you get to watch the game on a TV monitor from your obstructed view.
Actually, they're less than $1000 for any of the seats that would be obstructed view, and it's still more desirable than going to a game at that shithole in Tampa.
I was a fan of Tropicana Field. I went there for a Mets/Rays ST game two years ago. Then again, I was a fan of Shea, too. I don't get why people complain about stadiums. Like, what was wrong with Tropicana and Shea? I could see great from my seats, the fan intensity was great (well, not so much at Tropicana, but it was 50% Mets fans and we were loud), etc. The seats weren't uncomfortable to where I couldn't take sitting anymore. I don't get it. What's the big fuss? People will say, "It was a shithole," as if that clarifies it. I go there to watch a baseball game, and I can see and enjoy it... what?
How the Yankees contact their ticket buyers To whom it may concern: Congratulations! The New York Yankees have received your request for a partial, 20-date season-ticket package and, after a thorough background check, have agreed to renew your tickets! However, because of the seating limits of our new home, plus the overwhelming demand for tickets to see the World's Greatest Team move into the new Yankee Stadium, we were unable to fulfill your specific seat requests. But we have assigned you alternative seating we feel certain you will enjoy just as much or even more! You are hereby assigned two 20-date partial season tickets: one in our special Challenger's Perch rooftop loge, Section 679, Row 82, Seat 276 (view partially obstructed by a bank of lights, fully obstructed when the lights are turned on for night games), and the other in our auxiliary seating area at 31st Street and Ditmars Boulevard in Queens, conveniently located near the Astoria-Ditmars subway station, serviced by the N and W trains (standing room only). Also, thanks to high demand, your ticket price has increased slightly, from $60 per seat to $170 per seat, plus a $12.50 convenience fee per ticket, a $5.95 service charge per ticket, city and state taxes of 18 percent, a luxury tax of 8.5 percent, $10 for postage ($50 for delivery this season) and a onetime handling fee of $110, bringing your 20-date partial season-ticket plan to $9,695.57. Your bill is already 60 days past due and therefore includes a 15 percent late fee of $1,454.34, bringing the grand total for the 20 dates to $11,149.91.* If you wish to decline your assigned seat location, simply go to "MyBombersAccount'" at Yankees.com and select the "Account Settings'' tab next to the "Personal Preferences'' heading under the "Login'' banner. Then type in your 28-digit, randomly generated RAS customer number followed by your Social Security number and the daily 17-character/12-digit password (available on the YES Network at 6 a.m. each morning), and you will be redirected to the "Alternative Seating'' page. From there, you will have the option of choosing a more expensive seat in another location or a pricier seat in a different location or a costlier seat in the same location. You may also decline your assigned seat altogether by clicking the "Decline'' tab. (But do not, under any circumstances, click the "Are You Sure?'' pop-up, as this may delete your hard drive.) Warning: If you choose to decline your assigned seat, you will go to the back of the waiting list, and there is very little chance you will ever see the Yankees play in person the rest of your life. Either way, you will be billed the full amount, plus interest. Again, congratulations. We ask that you not spit or throw garbage at the new Yankee Stadium. Sincerely, The 26-time world-champion New York Yankees *Note: In an effort to accommodate everyone who applied for tickets, be advised that the Yankees may not be playing games on the dates you have been assigned. Page 2
I laugh when people ragg on the Trop, when people call the Trop a "Shithole" they are actually talking about the outside of the ball park because it's just a big dome and it's ugly to the eye but other than that, the Trop is actually one of the best ball parks around. The field is top of the line, great view from ANYWHERE in the stadium, AC and the seats are comfortable and overall it's an awsome time @ the Trop.
I've actually been to Tropicana Field(2007), and sorry dude, it kind of sucks. It's not as bad as some stadiums, but it's far from one of the best. I'd rate it high teens, low 20s. That stupid fish tank is a huge waste.
Everyone has their own thoughts but I really have a blast @ the Trop because it's always comfortable because we play inside, the seats are REALLY comfortable, on Fridays you get dollar hot dogs and dollar beers, I mean...I can go on and on and as far as the fish tank goes.... The kids LOVE it and thats what matters the most and plus, this is FLorida and we are known for beaches so why not throw in a fish tank? lol
We were called the "Devil Rays" for 10 years and thats the reason for the sting ray tanks...The kids loved it so it stuck.
