Ask The Orioles

[BaltimoreTerp]

Or even better

Under Armour Field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards UAFAOPACY

We'd be the perfect place to hold the CONCACAF tournaments, but I know Nicole won't let them do that to her field.

[MatthewW]

Well, since all the important topics have been brought up...

Do you instruct the ushers behind home plate to be ornery? And what's wrong with moving down to snag seats that are closer past the 5th inning when you're only drawing 10k to the Stadium?

It has to do with season tickets...

I am not a season ticket holder, but if I was, I wouldn't want somebody spending $9 for a seat, just to move down to to sit in my $27-$88 seat.

I actually think this was a problem a few years back when people were seeing that people were sitting in their seats on TV and they were calling and complaining about it...

And it would take so much time to distinguish which were season tickets or not, so therefore nobody moves down.

I really don't see a problem with it at all... I don't care if there are 3 people at the game. You sit where you paid to sit.

[TGO]

It has to do with season tickets...

I am not a season ticket holder, but if I was, I wouldn't want somebody spending $9 for a seat, just to move down to to sit in my $27-$88 seat.

I actually think this was a problem a few years back when people were seeing that people were sitting in their seats on TV and they were calling and complaining about it...

And it would take so much time to distinguish which were season tickets or not, so therefore nobody moves down.

I really don't see a problem with it at all... I don't care if there are 3 people at the game. You sit where you paid to sit.

I've heard about this "season ticket holders complain" thing before and I'm sorry, it's complete BS to say that if you sit at home and watch the game on TV you have the right to complain about people in your seats. This isn't the NFL and you didn't buy a PSL. Those aren't "your" seats. Tickets give you the right to sit in a seat when you are at the game. You want the riff raff out of your seats, go support the team and sit in them.

[glenn__davis]

I actually think this was a problem a few years back when people were seeing that people were sitting in their seats on TV and they were calling and complaining about it...

I'm sorry, this may be about the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

If you feel the need to call the club and complain because someone's sitting in your seats and you're not even there, then you must have a pretty darn sweet life.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

It seems like we have some really good questions in this thread...

Perhaps we should comb through them and present the majority in one post or a whole new thread and let Mr. Bader and company review them in a more tidy format... Decide what questions are most important to us and present the ones we want answered most as a united front. Remove any snark, softballs, rants, or other misc comments (like this one)...

I'm not volunteering, just thought it was a good idea in the event someone wanted to take it on.

[weams]

It seems like we have some really good questions in this thread...

Perhaps we should comb through them and present the majority in one post or a whole new thread and let Mr. Bader and company review them in a more tidy format... Decide what questions are most important to us and present the ones we want answered most as a united front. Remove any snark, softballs, rants, or other misc comments (like this one)...

I'm not volunteering, just thought it was a good idea in the event someone wanted to take it on.

You know, I thought about that. But the Orioles are telling us that they are interested in interacting with the fans on a message board level to try to understand the importance of this format to some of the most loyal of their customers. I think if that is the case it is probably ok for someone who is being paid to read through the 7 minutes of back and forth to uncover those nuggets themselves. Just my opinion. I really think they should participate on this board enough to really understand who we are and how we are part of their profit center.

[crowmst3k!]

Orioles:
Suggestion: Let Brady Anderson hire 7 guys that he trusts implicitly to implement his training philosophy and assign them to all of the affiliates and extended spring training. Allow Brady to have daily communication and coordination with them on a daily basis to track their workout progress (there are apps for this), and let's see these players getting into prime physical shape via the Orioles' personnel. This way, all of the instructors can focus on perfecting their baseball skills, rather than focusing on their strength and endurance.

Let's say each of those positions will cost....$100,000 to $150,000 per instructor (if you hire good guys), that's right around a Justin Duscherer. That's throwaway money in the scheme of things, and an investment that will pay dividends. It's the right thing to do.

Also, As polarizing as Peter Angelos may be, he made the right decision hiring Brady Anderson. Incredibly smart decision.

[grimed1]

If you hire Chef Gordon Ramsey he would have the team fixed in a week. He does it on Kitchen Nightmares why not Baseball Nightmares?

[srock]

Orioles:
Suggestion: Let Brady Anderson hire 7 guys that he trusts implicitly to implement his training philosophy and assign them to all of the affiliates and extended spring training. Allow Brady to have daily communication and coordination with them on a daily basis to track their workout progress (there are apps for this), and let's see these players getting into prime physical shape via the Orioles' personnel. This way, all of the instructors can focus on perfecting their baseball skills, rather than focusing on their strength and endurance.

Let's say each of those positions will cost....$100,000 to $150,000 per instructor (if you hire good guys), that's right around a Justin Duscherer. That's throwaway money in the scheme of things, and an investment that will pay dividends. It's the right thing to do.

Also, As polarizing as Peter Angelos may be, he made the right decision hiring Brady Anderson. Incredibly smart decision.

$100-150k? They would be the highest paid person in the lower minors. Wouldn't cost anywhere near this amount, even for top notch staff. Anyone willing to take the post in Delmarva is just happy to be working in pro sports. Caveat: not that they should be underpaid, but 100k for a coach at low-A would just be awkward for the rest of the staff.

Otherwise, I agree with the concept. I'd give Brady some time to put all together though. Logistics ain't easy.

[Witchy Chick]

3. I agree with Tony. Sell the "cheap seats" for $5 if there are seats remaining right before game time. You'll get some money rather than empty seats, and once inside, IF the vending situation is resolved, people will buy food and merchandise. Its a win-win situation where you, the Orioles, are making money, there are more fans in the park, and our own Orioles players don't have to look into the crowd and see Orioles fans dressed as empty seats.

These three things are easily fixable and don't involved the Orioles baseball team in any way. Its three things to improve the Fans experience at the Yard. Please make it happen!

Well, since all the important topics have been brought up...

Do you instruct the ushers behind home plate to be ornery? And what's wrong with moving down to snag seats that are closer past the 5th inning when you're only drawing 10k to the Stadium?

To tack on to these thoughts ? let?s cease and desist with some ushers hassling folks who want to ?move down? to the lower deck seats when the ballpark is largely devoid of fans. Rather let?s instruct the ushers to encourage folks to move closer to the field. Build goodwill with your fanbase.

Well, he should come out and defend that too. Tell the people he was wrong, be honest, etc...

Well, he has to believe that he is wrong. And, I truly do not think that he believes that. The blame will not be laid with any bad decisions/policies that the Orioles have made. The blame will be laid squarely on ?we can?t compete with the Yankees and Red Sox? or ?we can?t compete when we?ve ?lost? half of our local market to a re-located team.?

The more things change........


Witchy
(who - for Mr. Bader's information - has gone from a 29-game season ticket holder in 2006 to someone who attended ONE game in 2011)

[Official Orioles]

Concessions:
We are excited to partner with our concessionaire, Delaware North Sportservice, as we enter into our second season together. We believe our first year's partnership was a successful one, as we debuted several new menu items, most of which were extremely well received and will be returning.

In regards to variety, we are offering even more local flavor in 2012. New food announcements will be coming soon prior to Opening Day, and we believe those additions will be met with great enthusiasm.

We will continue to monitor lines, wait times and inventory control. We understand these are important issues and appreciate any detailed feedback about fans' experiences throughout the season. All emails we receive about concessions are shared with our concessionaire and are addressed.

The issue of vendors is currently being discussed, and we believe fans will see an improvement in the number of vendors this season.

Our prices are among the lowest concession prices of any major league sports venue in the region.
And remember, we have one of the most lenient policies regarding outside food and beverages in professional sports. Fans may bring non-alcoholic beverages and food into Camden Yards provided these items are in approved containers (no glass or cans).

Ticketing:
With respect to the differences between advanced ticket prices and day of game ticket prices, it is important to have some background. When this change in designation was made a few years ago, we were at a stage when a difficult decision was being made as to whether we would raise all ticket prices or just raise prices for those buying tickets the day of a game. What is commonly thought of as a surcharge is in fact the full price of the ticket, the lower price represents a discount. We believed, and still do believe, that offering a discount to those who make a commitment to purchase in advance is a better solution than raising all prices. We look at this as though you are getting a bonus for buying early, not a penalty for waiting or making a last minute decision.

In terms of attendance, our own evidence indicates that it has not been negatively affected by charging full price on game days. Our walk up attendance is equal to and in many cases exceeding historic levels, and last year we had some of the largest walk-up crowds on record. Industry trends have also demonstrated that differently priced tickets for advance and gameday sales have not negatively impacted attendance.

We encourage fans who wish to save on the full price of a ticket to become a season plan holder (when possible) or to purchase single game tickets in advance.


Personnel:
We recognize some of you feel we are not investing enough in overslots in the amateur draft; however, it should be noted that in the last five years we have spent enough on the Rule 4 draft to be ranked fifth out of all 30 MLB clubs. We believe that certainly demonstrates a significant outlaying of resources for the amateur draft.

Dan Duquette's focus is on changing the culture of our minor league player development as well as a renewed (and in some cases new) attention to professional, amateur and international scouting. You will continue to see us invest significant resources in these areas, as it is the organization?s belief that investing in our own minor league players and in searching aggressively worldwide for talent will ultimately lead to the long-term success that we all desire.

[McNulty]

Its like talking to a brick wall, I swear.

I love how raising ticket prices is a MUST. The team is obviously still profitable and the response is to raise prices to increase profit.

Hey fans, the team is an embarrassment to you and the city, we can't even give you a token sign of appreciation, come out to the yard!

And I'm not the cynical type.

[Can_of_corn]

Personnel:
We recognize some of you feel we are not investing enough in overslots in the amateur draft; however, it should be noted that in the last five years we have spent enough on the Rule 4 draft to be ranked fifth out of all 30 MLB clubs. We believe that certainly demonstrates a significant outlaying of resources for the amateur draft.

Considering that the O's are picking in the top 5 every year that stat doesn't do a lot for me.

[Can_of_corn]

$100-150k? They would be the highest paid person in the lower minors. Wouldn't cost anywhere near this amount, even for top notch staff. Anyone willing to take the post in Delmarva is just happy to be working in pro sports. Caveat: not that they should be underpaid, but 100k for a coach at low-A would just be awkward for the rest of the staff.

Otherwise, I agree with the concept. I'd give Brady some time to put all together though. Logistics ain't easy.

They could spend some of the extra money on some nutritionists and a team chef for each team so the pregame spreads in A ball aren't Doritos and Pop Tarts.

[McNulty]

"What are the options when you have an inferior product in an aggressive market place?"

"Well, if you have a large share of the market, you buy up the competition."

"And if you don't?"

"Reduce price to increase market share."