I spoke with Tigers GM Andrew Weber, who gave an update on where things stand as well as where some things might be going.
The team is working on having the speed pitch and the message board portion of the scoreboard fixed or replaced. The hiccup here is that with technology, sometimes the necessary pieces are outdated or unavailable. Sometimes the parts are there and there isn't anyone familiar with the older materials. That said, if the Tigers cannot find a way to fix both items, they may replace them. The caveat is it could have to wait until next season. I know many fans won't like this, but it's simply a matter of cost and availability.
There are no plans for a senior discount, but there will be a veterans discount. Weber said that with the newly introduced $5 berm seats the need for a senior discount didn't seem necessary. Here's my take: People, especially older and forgive my bluntness, more fragile fans, would like seats. Wouldn't it be more difficult to get up and down from an inclined position on grass — which may or may not be damp — than a seat? I don't think the Tigers really thought this one out.
The front office staff is complete, but the seasonal or game day staff is not. The team is hosting a job fair Saturday at Dodd Stadium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Weber anticipates completing the team's promotional schedule this week, which means the pocket schedules can be printed and released shortly thereafter.
As for the start of the season, which is less than a month away, Weber said the team is ahead of schedule but has plenty left to do.
Individual game tickets will be going on sale soon. No date is set for that, however.
There will be more in the Bulletin this weekend.
The berms are where the kids play....I would have thought that someone from the "old" front office that is still working there would have pointed that out or made the point a little better.
ReplyDeleteLack of a senior discount is a mistake since it's been in place since Day 1, 1995. As you point out it should be worth another look by the front office. Also is there child admission price point?
Good news Weber feels the team is ahead of schedule with a month to go given the time frame they had to work with.
Very interested to see what the promo schedule looks like....
Bad news about the speed pitch display and scoreboard. FYI: whatever piece of hardware they are looking to replace for the scorboard was installed around July of 2007...
Hopefully the water fountains and the toilets that the team id'ed as not working with in working order for Opening Day.
Yankees are really dinged up.....