As the calendar turns from July to August two things are certain—the Diamondbacks will not make the playoffs for the third consecutive year and it is time to begin thinking about season ticket renewal.
With two months still remaining in the 2010 season it just seems a bit early to begin thinking about next year. But given the struggles the Diamondbacks have had on the field this year, fans have been looking towards 2011 for several weeks if not months.
The team has not yet announced ticket prices for the 2011 season but word is starting to filter out through the Season Ticket Account Representatives that there will be some changes next season.
After a couple of years of holding ticket prices in check, the Diamondbacks are primed to increase prices on most seats. The increase is nominal with most seasons reportedly going up between $0.50 and $2.00 per game.
When Derrick Hall became president of the Arizona Diamondbacks at the conclusion of the 2006 season one of his first acts was to slash ticket prices for most of the seats in the stadium. As a result the Diamondbacks became the lowest-priced average ticket in all of Major League Baseball. Even with the suggested increases for the 2011 season the ticket prices still fall below the 2006 equivalent for the same seat.
Given the team’s lackluster performance for the past two years many are questioning the idea of increasing prices. It is never a good time for raising prices but looking at the attendance figures dwindle with each home stand it seemed inevitable that prices must go up if the team had any hope of breaking even.
I’m honestly ok with the increase in price. It is a result of fewer people going to the ballpark which means those of us still attending will be asked to step up to help the team try and break even. Even at $1 more per game per seat (the increase for the section my seats are within) Diamondbacks tickets are still one of the best values in all of sports.
Like in years past the Arizona Diamondbacks are offering several payment options to help the fans spread out the costs over an extended period of time. This year the team has four payment options, which is a reduction from what they offered last year.
Option 1: Pay in Full . This is the simplest; pay in full by August 30, 2010. One billing, one payment and an entire off-season to relax without worrying about anything other than free agency until Opening Day 2011. The pay in full option can be via cash, check, or credit card.
Option 2: Extended Auto Pay . The first payment of 25 percent of the total price is due on August 30, 2010. There will be five additional payments of 15 percent each due on September 30, October 10, January 10, February 10, and March 10.
This option is designed to give the fans the greatest flexibility for paying for Season Tickets. Most of the fans I spoke with are considering this as their preferred method. The team recognizes most people have expenditures during the holiday season and therefore does not require payments for the months of November and December.
The only problem I see with this option is the timing of payments two and three. They occur just 10 days apart which may be a struggle for those fans such as myself who are paid twice a month. The timing of these may require both payments to come out of the same paycheck. I’m not sure why the October payment is for the 10th rather than the 30th as the first two payments.
The Extended Auto Pay option can only be made via credit card and no additional invoices beyond the first one will be sent. Fans must have a credit card with an expiration date of 2011 to participate in this plan.
Option 3: Standard Auto Pay . Season tickets costs are divided into four equal payments of 25 percent each. The first payment is due August 30 with subsequent payments due September 30, January 10, and February 10.
Like the Extended Auto Pay option, the Standard Auto Pay can be made via credit card only and the card must have an expiration date greater than March 2011 to be used. This option like the other two the fan will receive an initial invoice but no subsequent invoices will be sent.
Option 4: Invoice Me . This option is similar to the Standard Auto Pay where payments are divided into four equal installments of 25 percent each. The first payment is due August 30 with subsequent payments due September 30, January 10, and February 10.
The difference between Standard Auto Pay and Invoice Me is that with the latter the Diamondbacks will send invoices to the fan who will then make arrangements for payment by the deadline. The Invoice Me option will allow fans an opportunity to pay via cash, check, or credit card.
As a thank-you to fans renewing their 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Tickets the team is offering a free gift. For the first time in team history they are allowing the fans to choose the gift that means the most to them. The choices for thank-you gift are:
Batting Practice on the Field
You and a guest are invited to view Batting Practice on the Field. Your experience will include an on-field view of D-backs batting practice as well as a keepsake photo. Dates will be selected prior to the start of the 2011 season. Space is limited to the first 750 Season Ticket Holders who renew their season tickets by August 30, 2010 and choose this option.
10th Anniversary World Series Autograph Session
You and a guest are invited to participate in an exclusive 10th Anniversary World Series Autograph Session, including a commemorative photo. Dates and players will be selected prior to the start of the 2011 season. Space is limited to first 300 Season Ticket Holders who renew their season tickets by August 30, 2010 and choose this option.
Ultimate Baseball Experience
You and a guest are invited to an Ultimate Baseball Experience at the new D-backs Spring Training home, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Enjoy a day of playing catch, taking some swings and practicing your fielding skills. Dates will be selected prior to the start of the 2011 season. Space is limited to the first 1,000 Season Ticket Holders who renew their season tickets by August 30, 2010 and choose this option.
Four (4) Clubhouse Box Tickets
Receive Four (4) Clubhouse Box Tickets to any 2011 regular season home game*. Your party will enjoy special amenities including in-seat wait service, private lounge access and an ultimate, up close and personal view of the game. Dates will be made available prior to the 2011 season. This option is available to Season Ticket Holders who renew their season tickets by August 30, 2010 and choose this option. *Opening Day excluded.
Private Pre-Game Autograph Session featuring D-backs Players
You and a guest are invited to take part in a Private Pre-Game Autograph Session featuring D-backs Players. Dates and players will be selected prior to the 2011 season. Space is limited to the first 450 Season Ticket Holders who renew their season tickets by August 30, 2010 and choose this option.
All five of these gifts offer a unique experience and should be very popular. As for me, I plan on choosing the World Series Autograph Session. Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the World Series win and would be perfect to remind us of the better days in franchise history.
My only concern with the autograph sessions is that no where does it say whether you will be able to get all the players autographs or if you can only get a subset similar to the autograph parties and fanfests in the past. I will be disappointed if you have to choose just one or two players rather than be able to get an autograph from all of the players/coaches attending.
I’m also putting a lot of faith that the Diamondbacks will be able to bring together a group that represents either the World Series team (or the current team if you choose that gift) to the autograph sessions. Fans will be extremely disappointed if the autograph participants are a relief pitcher who didn’t play or a back-up bench player.
As you can see, while the Arizona Diamondbacks may be asking for a slight increase in each per game ticket, they are offering you a unique opportunity to be closer to the team both past and present. Now if they could just promise a similar increase in competitiveness 2011 would be something we could all look forward to.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com