Mariner's 2006 Season Ticket purchase plan
The Group's History:
1996, about two dozen of us jumped on the Mariner's bandwagon and got together to buy two season tickets
in the Kingdome in Section 108, row 21 down the first base line near the visitor's bullpen.
We were small enough to hold the draft in Audrey Bennett's living room.
1997 Due to strong demand, we went from two seats to four and moved to row 19 in
section 108.The draft moved to a bar in Pioneer Square.
1998 We increased the number of people in the purchasing group to 33 and added a
pair on the third-base side for a total of six seats.
1999 Safeco Field opens and our first-base seats are in section 116, row 15, seats 5-8 and
our third-base seats are in Section 143, row 28.
2001 Big seating upgrades to 134, row 24 on the third base side and 125, row 37
on the first base side.
2004 We added another nice pair on the third-base side, section 137 row 119,
seats 3 & 4.
2005 Our four first-base seats moved to the aisle in section 128, row 37.
2006 We acquire the third base seats next to us in 134, giving us four together
there.
2006 seating information:
So here's where our seats are now.
On the first base side, we've gotten an upgrade to section 128, row 37, seats 1-4. They are behind the screen, but up high enough that you hardly notice it. The main drawback to them is that they are high up enough to create a lack of sunshine. But the majority of the games are either going to be in cold weather or on weeknights. So I think these are much better for the hard-core fans to see the game and the players. For those times where you want to bask in the sun, I recommend picking up a pair of bleacher seats.
On the third base side, we're in section 134, row 24, seats
9-12
(which are on the aisle and just 16 rows back from the diamond club).
The Mariners general seating-chart map (where I stole these photos) is at http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sea/ticketing/seating_pricing.jsp
Parking. In addition to the four pairs of tickets to each game, we have two parking passes which allow us to park in the Safeco Field Garage. They print out separate passes for each game, so that the pass goes with each set of tickets you draft. Because there are a maximum of two parking passes per game, when you select a game and your ticket location, you will also designate whether you'd like parking or not. Of course, for any game you decline parking, you will be refunded your $17.
Pricing. The seat prices are $38 and parking is $17. So the total per game is $93. For reasons described below, you must buy an even number of games.
The Draft order: I ask people to commit to a specific number of games (one game = a pair of tickets and the option for a parking pass). Some people buy two games, other people buy 30 or 40. Anything is fine. After all the games are committed, we will have a total of 324 draft spots. I put people's information into a spreadsheet and shuffle it randomly using the random number generator in Excel. The second half of the draft is a mirror of the first half, sort of like the first two rounds of a fantasy football draft. So whoever gets the first overall pick, will also get the very last pick. Whoever gets the 15th pick will automatically also get the 309th pick, etc. This has proven to be a good way to ensure that no one gets their picks clumped at the beginning or the end. People who want to buy four seats together can have their picks doubled up, which will make it easier to select a game with four seats together. Basically, they will be in the hat half the number of times, but will get two picks when their turn comes up. As an example, here is the 2004 draft order. Importantly, everybody is on equal footing, regardless of when they joined the group or how many tickets they are buying. (In fact, someone buying just two games got the first pick in 1999 and got to attend the Safeco Field opener.)
The Draft itself. The draft will be Sunday 12th on the Microsoft Campus, where the selections can be projected up on a large screen so everybody can keep track of all the picks. There will also be a call-in number. Basically, the process is this -- the person who has draft spot #1 gets to select which game they want and which seat location and whether they also want the parking pass or not. Then, person with pick #2 announces which of the remaining games and seat locations they want and whether they want parking or not. We continue on until all the games are selected. It usually takes 2-3 hours and feels something like a fantasy football or baseball draft if any of you have ever done that. People who cannot attend in person or call in are welcome to send preferences and someone will make their picks for them.
"What if I can't get the games I want?" This is certainly a legitimate concern. It's true that no one walks away with just the popular Yankee and Red Sox games. But our experience in the 10 years we've done this is that by and large everybody comes away happy with their selections. Some people are eager to see certain teams, others are eager to go on certain nights of the week, Some care about Interleague play, some plan around school being on vacation. Because of the vast numbers of differing priorities and the fact that we have four pairs to each game, the top games you want almost always last longer than you think they might.
"What if I can't go to the games I pick?" If you end up not being able to use the tickets for the game that you select, you have several options. First, everybody in the group will be on e'mail, so you can send e'mail mariners@albabe.com and offer trades. If you want to trade in tickets through the Mariners, you can make the switch at the Safeco Field boxoffice at least 24 hours before the game you want to switch to. However, keep in mind that turning in the tickets gives you $76 worth of credit and equivalent box seats cost $110 per pair for single-game tickets.
Opening Night. The four pairs of regular seats are available like all the other games in the draft.
Playoffs/Bonus Draft. We will have the rights to our eight seats for the playoffs. If the M's do make the playoffs, I will use two of the regular seats. (Based on the time I put into organizing this, I think that's reasonable.) The other six seats will be available to people through a "bonus draft." Like the regular draft, the bonus draft will be based on a random drawing weighted for number of ticket purchases. When the person's turn comes up, they will be able to select which seats and which overall postseason game they way. This will take place in September via e'mail.
Schedule. Here's the 2006 schedule: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=sea&m=4&y=2006 and the promotional schedule: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=sea
Grandfathering. People who purchased in 1997 are still grandfathered with the rights to buy that many seats in future years -- lindamc 10; davidvi 5; jimorr 6; audrey_ann@msn.com 6; johnm 2; skittle 6; jeffhero 4; michaelc 2; cindytu 2; marcpi 2; ryansu 2.
Safeco Field. I had a chance to check out "The Safe" when it was under construction in December 1998 and thought it was cool even way back then. Check out my photos.
Mariner's Links - I haven't had a chance to check out which of these are still alive and working, but here the Mariner's sites I've found in the past..
Mariner's Official Page
Scott's Seattle Mariner Page
Seattle Mariners Home Page
Seattle Mariners USA TODAY page
The Baseball Server Seattle Mariners
Baseball Hall of Fame
Baseball News
Rick's Mariner Page
Scott's Mariner Page
The Sports Network Seattle Mariners
CBS SportsLine: Seattle Mariners
seattle mariners
Seattle Mariners Dugout
ESPNet SportsZone: Seattle Mariners
Fastball: Seattle Mariners' Team Page
CNN/SI: Seattle Mariners
MLB@Bat: Seattle Mariners Home Page
Seattle Mariners Channel
Seattle Times Mariners Page
http://directory.hotbot.com/Sports/Baseball/Major_League/Teams/Seattle_Mariners/
Stadium Links
Seattle Mariners
Sidewalk.com's Safeco Field page
The Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District
Ballpark Watch
Welcome to the Kingdome!
Daily Journal of Commerce Ballpark Watch
The Old Staydium Home Page
Ballparks by Paul Munsey
The Stadium and Arenas Home Page
John Skilton's Baseball Stadium Pages
So just what do you have to say? Drop me a line: alan@albabe.com
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It was last updated: October 02, 2006. |