Interesting... and since this is all about the "fan experience" at the ballpark, it's interesting to see where the parks ranked - and for what. A little unfair to the Washington Nationals as the survey was for RFK Stadium and not the new Nationals Park.
The survey was for your hometown park. Of the respondents, almost 15% were season ticket holders, and almost half went to at least 5 games a year. That means under 50% went to at least 5 games, so their fan experiences could have been based solely on one or two games... or even worse: what they've heard about the experience.
The Chicago ballparks? US Cellular Field - 8th, Wrigley Field 15th
Affordability
How would you rate the affordability of a trip to your hometown ballpark?
Best: Royals - Kauffman Stadium
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 18
Wrigley Field: 27
(also included was not a question but a ranking of where ticket prices at the park compare throughout the league. The average cost for a ticket according to "Team Marketing Report, 2008" is $25.43
Best: Diamondbacks - Chase Field - Avg Price $15.96 - Increase From 2007 15.7%
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park - Avg Price $48.80 - Increase From 2007 10.1%
US Cellular Field: 26 - Avg Price $30.28 - Increase From 2007 5.2%
Wrigley Field: 29 - Avg Price $42.49 - Increase From 2007 23.9%)
Food
How would you rate the food at the ballpark?
How would you rate the cost of food and beverages at the ballpark?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Mets - Shea Stadium
US Cellular Field: 2
Wrigley Field: 22
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the must-have food item offered at the ballpark and what makes it so good?")
Team Quality
How would you rate the quality of the product currently being put on the field by the hometown team?
Best: Tigers - Comerica Park
Worst: Pirates - PNC Park
US Cellular Field: 17
Wrigley Field: 12
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "Which player on your team is the most worth paying to watch?")
History & Tradition
How would you rate the sense of tradition and history at the ballpark?
Best: Red Sox - Fenway Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 15
Wrigley Field: 3
Ballpark Atmosphere
How would you rate the atmosphere at the game?
How would you rate the level of personal comfort when you are sitting in your seat?
Best: Mariners - Safeco Field
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 8
Wrigley Field: 6
Fan Intelligence
How would you rate the "baseball intelligence" of the home fans?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 8
Fan Hospitality
How would you rate the hospitality offered to fans of the opposing team?
Best: Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
Worst: Phillies - Citizens Bank Park
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 24
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the worst incident you've witnessed against an opposing fan or yourself?")
Promotions
How would you rate the quality of the promotions/giveaways offered by the home team?
Best: Brewers - Miller Park
Worst: Red Sox - Fenway Park
US Cellular Field: 4
Wrigley Field: 16
(also included in the survey are selected resonses to "What is the best promotion/giveaway your team has offered? What is the worst? What is a promotion you'd like to see?")
Getting To The Game
How would you rate the traffic to and from the ballpark?
How would you rate the parking availability/cost at the ballpark?
How would you rate the public transportation options to and from the ballpark?
Best: White Sox - US Cellular Field ???? !!!!
Worst: Dodgers - Dodger Stadium
US Cellular Field: 1
Wrigley Field: 23
Neighborhood
How would you rate the dining and drinking options within walking distance of the ballpark?
Best: Padres - Petco Park
Worst: Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
US Cellular Field: 23
Wrigley Field: 2
So, the overall rankings were:
1. Indians - Progressive Field]]>
2. Brewers - Miller Park
3. Pirates - PNC Park
4. Tigers - Comerica Park
5. Cardinals - Busch Stadium III
6. Mariners - Safeco Field
7. Rockies - Coors Field
8. White Sox - US Cellular Field
9. Angels - Angel Stadium of Anaheim
10. Phillies - Citizens Bank Park
11. Padres - Petco Park
12. Royals - Kauffman Stadium
13. Reds - Great American Ballpark
14. Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards
15. Cubs - Wrigley Field
16. Astros - Minute Maid Park
17. Giants - AT&T Park
18. Blue Jays - Rogers Centre
19. Braves - Turner Field
20. Yankees - Yankee Stadium
21. Red Sox - Fenway Park
22. Dodgers - Dodger Stadium
23. Athletics - McAfee Coliseum
24. Rays - Tropicana Field
25. Diamondbacks - Chase Field
26. Twins - Metrodome
27. Rangers - Rangers Park in Arlington
28. Mets - Shea Stadium
29. Nationals - RFK Stadium
30. Marlins - Dolphin Stadium
I'm feeling better - it's feeling more like spring again... except for that snow and below zero temperatures...
]]>Now... why would I do that... and why would you care?
Because everyone in the United States is getting a free taco today. Now... again... why?
Because Taco Bell ran a promotion that was called "Steal a Base Steal a Taco". In a nutshell, if anybody in the World Series steals a base in a World Series game, America gets a free a free crunchy seasoned beef taco .
So - there it was: last Thursday, Game 2, bottom of the 4th. - Thank You Boston Red Sox rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (he walked after two out, and stole second in a 2-1 win by Boston over Colorado)
The place wasn't crowded at all... you could only cash-in today from 2pm-5pm. I can't imagine what the chain's 5,800 stores were like during all of this.
EVENT: Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell") is tapping into the national pastime with a completely outside the bun idea: During any game of the 2007 World Series (the "Games"), currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 24, 2007, Thursday, October 25, 2007, Saturday, October 27, Sunday, October 28, 2007, Monday, October 29, 2007 (if necessary), Wednesday, October 31, 2007 (if necessary), Thursday, November 1, 2007, (if necessary), Games or event dates and times determined in the sole discretion of the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, and/or Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., as applicable, and are subject to change, Taco Bell will offer the prize identified below for ANY "stolen base" as determined by Taco Bell in its sole discretion. For purposes of this event, an eligible "stolen base" is defined as a base stolen during regulation or extra innings play and is subject to the determination/designation of the official Major League Baseball scorekeeper as an official stolen base. Any attempted stolen base which does not result in an official stolen base as defined herein, will not be eligible for the "Free Taco" as outlined herein. If a base is stolen during regulation or extra innings play by any player for either team, Taco Bell will offer every person in the U.S. the opportunity to obtain one (1) free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco (Approximate Retail Value 77¢, prices may vary) ("Free Taco") at participating Taco Bell® restaurants in the United States on the date designated herein. No product substitution, cash redemption or alternative will be allowed. Only one (1) Free Taco will be permitted per person, regardless of how many eligible bases are stolen during the Games. In the event the Games are not played on October 24-November 1, 2007, the offer will be good during any Games of the 2007 MLB World Series to be announced. ELIGIBILITY: No Purchase Necessary. This offer is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia only. Void in all other territories, possessions, commonwealths and all other countries. Void where prohibited. MLB Entities (as defined below) and employees thereof are ineligible.]]>SPONSOR: Taco Bell Corp., 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614.
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE TACO: If an eligible base was stolen during the Games, Taco Bell will make an announcement through selected media channels, including a press release and its web site (www.tacobell.com), that eligible consumers can obtain their free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 (if base is stolen in Games 1 or 2 on October 24 or October 25, 2007) OR November 6, 2007 (if base is stolen in Games 3-7, October 27, 28, 29, 31, November 1, 2007) ("Redemption Date") only. To obtain the Free Taco, consumers must visit any participating Taco Bell® restaurant in one of the fifty (50) the United States or District of Columbia between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (local time) on the Redemption Date only and request a Free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco. Free Taco's will not be offered on any other date or time, regardless of circumstance. Limit one (1) Free Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco per person. Participating Taco Bell restaurant manager reserves the right to deny Free Taco to any person he/she reasonably believes has already received a Free Taco or has engaged in any other fraudulent activity. All eligible consumers: Everyone in line at a participating Taco Bell restaurant before 5:00 p.m. local time will receive a Free Taco, even if it is provided after 5:00 p.m. Free Taco offer is subject to store availability and Taco Bell reserves the right to substitute an item of equal or greater value if due to unavailability. All restaurant managers decisions are final regarding to Free Taco offer. As a condition of the offer, consumers agree: (a) to release, and hold harmless Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., Major League Baseball Enterprises, Inc., MLB Advanced Media, L.P., MLB Media Holdings, Inc., MLB Media Holdings, L.P., MLB Online Services, Inc., the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, and the Major League Baseball Clubs, and each of their respective shareholders, employees, parents, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns (hereinafter,"MLB Etities") and Sponsor and their affiliates, subsidiaries, retailers, sales representatives, distributors and franchisees, and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents ("Promotional Parties"), from any and all claims, demands, losses, promises, causes of action, and liabilities, in this contest/promotion or any use/misuse of the prizes awarded hereunder including a Free Taco, (b) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses; (c) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Offer or any Free Taco or any advertising, marketing, promotion or publicity materials in connection therewith, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and award shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, excluding attorneys' fees and court costs. By participating, consumers agree that all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, participant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules. By entering, entrants consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state and local courts for Irvine, California.
Taco Bell is an official sponsor of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Contest not produced or executed by any MLB Entity.
My heart goes into hibernation until the spring...
]]>The sun was low... shadows stretched across the entire playing field... children were running the bases... Nancy Faust was playing Auld Lang Syne ...
That was my last memory of U.S. Cellular Field as baseball season ended on the South Side of Chicago.
Many fans would - and did - say "Thank God THAT's over".
The Sox ended the season 72-90 - 24 games behind the division leading Cleveland Indians in 4th place.
One year ago, we ended the season 90-72. Interesting symmetry. (and then there was 2005 when we finished 99-63... and WON THE WORLD SERIES...)
Such a PAINFUL season... seams like it was just yesterday, but it was about 25½ weeks ago, when the season started, starting the same pitcher as today - Jose Contreras... who lost that Opening Day 12-5 against the Indians... seamed a fitting way to "bookend" the Season - 5-12 & 13-3.
What a disaster. A season that started with pundits claiming we may have the best bullpen in the majors, only to find out we didn't have starters that were ready to play, we didn't have ANY bullpen... and NO ONE was hitting to provide run support for the lousy pitching.
And here it is... the end of the baseball season... the time where I have always said in this blog, that the clock that I measure my life against stops... and doesn't start again until spring...
...and here, in the City of Chicago, where we won over many of the hearts of baseball fans just two short years ago by bringing a world championship to the city... all of those fans we won over... all of the goodwill that we had made...
IS GONE
... all because the Chicago National League Ball Club, Inc. has made it to the post season... and dreams of winning the first World Series in 99 years swirl through their heads...
All I can think of are all of those fans that spewed their HATRED of White Sox fans, in the vilest of comments, even as we made it through the playoffs .. .and to the World Series.. AND WON THE DAMN THING... when the city should just rejoice and celebrate, those fans did not... as they spat upon the ticker tape parade... those who didn't have the sense of mind to just SHUT THE HELL UP because your team did NOTHING that year... it was THEN that I realized that I would NEVER support THAT team...
To them, I will live my life through the post season as they had lived through ours in 2005.
(Boxscore)
]]>It wasn't until the past MONDAY that Fox decided NOT to broadcast today's game, so the team moved the game to 6:05pm... which allowed United Airlines to sponsor the final fireworks night of the year.
What an odd game... first, as one of our runners was advancing to 2nd (i think on a bunt) the 2nd base umpire falls down and blocks the bag from the second baseman, so he couldn't get near the runner to tag him out (which caused manager Jim Leyland to go nuts and gets thrown out)... and then on a hit to right, the Tigers' Right Fielder Ryan Raburn... who overruns the ball... and as it goes through his legs, our runner scores and we win the game.
One other what I would consider funny story, this time before the game started:
On the left field scoreboard, they we showing the standings for each division... and usually just showing the top 2 teams, showing their won-loss record as well as how many games behind the teams were behind each leader...
...So... when in came time to show the National League Central standings, apparently the scoreboard staff just couldn't get themselves to do it, because all that was shown was "NL Central Standings" and the W L and GB column headings... the rest of the data was BLANK.
(Boxscore)
]]>I feel only SLIGHTLY better today.
The Sox won 4 straight, sweeping the Detroit Tigers knocking them out of first place, and are 7-3 in their last 10.
The Cubs lost tonight, are 5-5 in their last 10, and dropped a game out of first place.
Now, look... this has been just a crazy year... and I'm not saying that these teams are finally doing what I had expected them to do... far from it.
It's Chicago. It's August.
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. You just never know.
]]>My team, the Chicago White Sox are tied for last place in the AL Central Division (13 games out with the Kansas City Royals).
And... there's that "other" team... the Chicago Cubs are tied for first in the NL Central Division with the Milwaukee Brewers (6 games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals).
I feel ill.
And, with the Cubs up for sale, I have to admit that there's a noble campaign going on: a group of Chicagoans working to facilitate a fan-owned buyout of the Chicago Cubs and restore the voice of the fans within baseball - 4FansSake.com
]]>