The cost of watching the Marlins is going up, more so for fans who dilly-dally.

 

Although ticket prices for the 2007 season remain unchanged for fans buying 41-and 81-game packages, those who purchase their tickets a game at a time will pay more.

 

An infield box seat that cost $33 last season, for example, is increasing to $35 -- but only if the ticket is bought before midnight of the day of the game. On game day, the same ticket will cost $40.

 

The least-expensive seat in the house -- the so-called ''Fish Tank'' seats in the outfield -- is increasing from $8 to $9 when purchased in advance. But the price goes up to $12 if bought on the day of game.

 

General parking will remain $10.

 

Despite the increases, the Marlins remain one of the most affordable teams in the major leagues for fans, according to team executives. Sean Flynn, the Marlins' vice president of marketing, said only two or three other teams price their tickets more affordably.

 

''We continually remain one of the cheapest entrances into a Major League Baseball product,'' Flynn said. ``And it's still the best value in South Florida for your entertainment value.''

 

Still, the Marlins ranked last in the majors in home attendance last season, drawing a little more than one million to Dolphin Stadium. Flynn said the Marlins have restructured ticket plans to make them desirable and affordable.

 

The Marlins also are concentrating their marketing efforts on the weekends, and Saturdays in particular, to lure more fans. A ''party zone'' tent near Gate G, along with postgame concerts and fireworks, will become part of the Saturday baseball experience.

 

'We're `eventizing' Saturday night,'' Flynn said. ``We're going to fish where the fish are biting.

 

``They've been biting on Saturdays, so we're going to throw more bait in the water and bring in more fish.''

 

The Marlins expect to begin sending out ticket brochures by the end of next week. Information also will be found online at that time.

 

Individual game tickets will go on sale at the start of FanFest on Feb. 10.

 

 

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pretty minimal change

 

Not too bad

they really need to get rid of the parking fee.

Concerts and fireworks every saturday? Intersting...

and i was thinking about going to a game or two this year...may have to reconsider. but ticket prices for games are getting insane, and driving almost two hours to get there won't cut it anymore. and the ticket prices will hurt the people from palm beach alot, as my parents never want to drive over there, it's considered a trip to go down there for them.

and i was thinking about going to a game or two this year...may have to reconsider. but ticket prices for games are getting insane, and driving almost two hours to get there won't cut it anymore. and the ticket prices will hurt the people from palm beach alot, as my parents never want to drive over there, it's considered a trip to go down there for them.

 

 

The rule is no complain about ticket prices since the marlins are offering 25 games for 99 dollars on their website.

they really need to get rid of the parking fee.

 

you'd have to talk to Mr. Huizenga about that.

I have no problem with this considering im a season ticket holder... They are doing do this for the fans who decide to go 15 mins before the game.. Those who dont want to pay the extra couple of bucks are now forced to buy their tickets before hand

If someone here works for the Fish (thinking of 1truefan) I'm curious how they did selling those $99 holiday packages and if they plan on doing another offering before the season starts?

and i was thinking about going to a game or two this year...may have to reconsider. but ticket prices for games are getting insane, and driving almost two hours to get there won't cut it anymore. and the ticket prices will hurt the people from palm beach alot, as my parents never want to drive over there, it's considered a trip to go down there for them.

 

 

The rule is no complain about ticket prices since the marlins are offering 25 games for 99 dollars on their website.

that is extremely reasonable.

and i was thinking about going to a game or two this year...may have to reconsider. but ticket prices for games are getting insane, and driving almost two hours to get there won't cut it anymore. and the ticket prices will hurt the people from palm beach alot, as my parents never want to drive over there, it's considered a trip to go down there for them.

 

 

The rule is no complain about ticket prices since the marlins are offering 25 games for 99 dollars on their website.

that is extremely reasonable.

For people who can afford that many tickets .. some of us only can afford to go to a couple games since its a long drive (im in the opposite direction) and $10 parking adds up, for 25 games thats $250.

Way to get more people to come out. Raise ticket prices.

Way to get more people to come out. Raise ticket prices.

This is the only way they can reasonably address weather concerns affecting gate sales. Personally, I think it'll blow up in their faces, but at least it is a reasonably justifiable attempt at (relatively speaking) financial certainty.

Way to get more people to come out. Raise ticket prices.

 

Its all about winning when it comes down to it... If the team is winning I doubt anyone will say.. "damn I dont want to pay an extra 4 bucks to see a winning team"

The least-expensive seat in the house -- the so-called ''Fish Tank'' seats in the outfield -- is increasing from $8 to $9 when purchased in advance. But the price goes up to $12 if bought on the day of game.

 

that only thing i donot like that if you want ticket at $8 to $9 you need buy it at ballpark or by ticket outlet before game day when i go most of time i get it at window on gameday because online their want you pay 2.00 for fee other fee too their want make MONEY for ticket outlet

If they raise prices, they should do what the Panthers did when tehy raised prices and make parking free. (I know the Marlins can't do that, but I can dream, can't I?)

and i was thinking about going to a game or two this year...may have to reconsider. but ticket prices for games are getting insane, and driving almost two hours to get there won't cut it anymore. and the ticket prices will hurt the people from palm beach alot, as my parents never want to drive over there, it's considered a trip to go down there for them.

 

 

The rule is no complain about ticket prices since the marlins are offering 25 games for 99 dollars on their website.

that is extremely reasonable.

For people who can afford that many tickets .. some of us only can afford to go to a couple games since its a long drive (im in the opposite direction) and $10 parking adds up, for 25 games thats $250.

 

Buy the advanced parking.

 

If they raise prices, they should do what the Panthers did when tehy raised prices and make parking free. (I know the Marlins can't do that, but I can dream, can't I?)

 

Wanna bet on where we stand on ticket prices compared to other teams? I would be willing to bet we are near the bottom of the list for cheapest average price.

 

The least-expensive seat in the house -- the so-called ''Fish Tank'' seats in the outfield -- is increasing from $8 to $9 when purchased in advance. But the price goes up to $12 if bought on the day of game.

 

that only thing i donot like that if you want ticket at $8 to $9 you need buy it at ballpark or by ticket outlet before game day when i go most of time i get it at window on gameday because online their want you pay 2.00 for fee other fee too their want make MONEY for ticket outlet

 

Just remember to get with me when the season rolls around.

If they raise prices, they should do what the Panthers did when tehy raised prices and make parking free. (I know the Marlins can't do that, but I can dream, can't I?)

 

Wanna bet on where we stand on ticket prices compared to other teams? I would be willing to bet we are near the bottom of the list for cheapest average price.

Wanna bet on where we stand on how much our owner spends on the team?

If they raise prices, they should do what the Panthers did when tehy raised prices and make parking free. (I know the Marlins can't do that, but I can dream, can't I?)

 

Wanna bet on where we stand on ticket prices compared to other teams? I would be willing to bet we are near the bottom of the list for cheapest average price.

 

I hate this argument.

 

First of all, comparing other teams to the Marlins is idiotic given all the seperate intangiables, but that aside, let's take a look at your "normal" read non-fish tank and upper deck B and C ticket pricing.

 

For the sake of argument, let's go big...let's compare to the Mets. Same division, roughly the same schedule, a payroll quintuple ours in an equally crappy stadium.

 

OK, here it goes:

 

Mets:

 

"Inner Field Box" $67 (non-Yankee game price against a premium opponent)

 

Marlins equivalent:

 

Truthfully founders-field box which is like $115 but for sake of argument, founders club MVP...$90

 

Advantage: Mets (-$23)

 

Mets:

 

"Outerfield Box" $48

 

Marlins equivalent:

 

In places, infield box and regular founders club, in other places terrace box. Price range $85-$25

 

Advantage: Marlins, although this category is impossible because of the variance in how the Marlins and Mets sell tickets in this price level as the Marlins would be selling Founders Club and Infield Box seats in Shea sections 111 and 112 and 97 and 98.

 

Mets: "Loge Reserved" $42

 

Marlins equivalent: "Club A" $45

 

Advantage: Mets (-$3)

 

Mets: Outer Loge Reserved (a category I'm creating again because of the variance in pricing categories) $42

 

Marlins: Club B $39

 

Advantage: Marlins ($-3)

 

Mets: Upper Box ($31)

 

Marlins Equivalent: Upper 'A' ($18)

 

Advantage: Marlins (-$13)

 

Mets: Upper Reserved ($20) BUT as cheap as $5

 

Marlins equivalent: Upper Deck 'B' ($16)

 

Advantage: Marlins (-$4)

 

Highest ticket price avaialable for individual purchase:

 

Mets: $82

Marlins: $90

 

Lowest ticket price available for individual purchase (non 'kids' pricing):

 

Mets: $5 (in three seperate areas, Mezzanine, Loge and Upper)

Marlins: $8

 

Now...are the Marlins still such a slam dunk value? :whistle

$22 total (i like the fish tank) for one night out to go to a ballgame isn't bad (though an average south florida resident would rather just go to a movie or something for $8 and less of a drive). but when you're a fan and you want to go to a lot of games, $22 a night ain't so cheap anymore.

 

this isn't going to bring any new fans out, and, if anything, it will probably make current fans go to less games.

you can say goodbye to many of your palm beach fans with this extra gameday fee. my mom doesn't like driving an hour each way just to get tickets without the extra fee and it's too much hassle, and i'm sure that's how many people in the area feel as well. this is now going to require weeks of extra planning to go to a game instead of just going on a friday or saturday night, which is tough enough already. and don't forget the toll fine for the people living in the western communities, which comes up to nearly 10 bucks round trip, unless they want to waste another hour in the traffic jammed 95 or on traveling the 441, laden with stoplights starting just north of west boca. so that's really 30 dollars (plus gas) at least just to go to a game for one person. i was planning on going to some braves vs. marlins games, but i'll just go to atlanta instead and see the braves there at this rate.

If someone here works for the Fish (thinking of 1truefan) I'm curious how they did selling those $99 holiday packages and if they plan on doing another offering before the season starts?

 

I bought two in sec 456.

 

I am very happy with them.

 

Oreo took real good care of me.

If they raise prices, they should do what the Panthers did when tehy raised prices and make parking free. (I know the Marlins can't do that, but I can dream, can't I?)

 

Wanna bet on where we stand on ticket prices compared to other teams? I would be willing to bet we are near the bottom of the list for cheapest average price.

 

I hate this argument.

 

First of all, comparing other teams to the Marlins is idiotic given all the seperate intangiables, but that aside, let's take a look at your "normal" read non-fish tank and upper deck B and C ticket pricing.

 

For the sake of argument, let's go big...let's compare to the Mets. Same division, roughly the same schedule, a payroll quintuple ours in an equally crappy stadium.

 

OK, here it goes:

 

Mets:

 

"Inner Field Box" $67 (non-Yankee game price against a premium opponent)

 

Marlins equivalent:

 

Truthfully founders-field box which is like $115 but for sake of argument, founders club MVP...$90

 

Advantage: Mets (-$23)

 

Mets:

 

"Outerfield Box" $48

 

Marlins equivalent:

 

In places, infield box and regular founders club, in other places terrace box. Price range $85-$25

 

Advantage: Marlins, although this category is impossible because of the variance in how the Marlins and Mets sell tickets in this price level as the Marlins would be selling Founders Club and Infield Box seats in Shea sections 111 and 112 and 97 and 98.

 

Mets: "Loge Reserved" $42

 

Marlins equivalent: "Club A" $45

 

Advantage: Mets (-$3)

 

Mets: Outer Loge Reserved (a category I'm creating again because of the variance in pricing categories) $42

 

Marlins: Club B $39

 

Advantage: Marlins ($-3)

 

Mets: Upper Box ($31)

 

Marlins Equivalent: Upper 'A' ($18)

 

Advantage: Marlins (-$13)

 

Mets: Upper Reserved ($20) BUT as cheap as $5

 

Marlins equivalent: Upper Deck 'B' ($16)

 

Advantage: Marlins (-$4)

 

Highest ticket price avaialable for individual purchase:

 

Mets: $82

Marlins: $90

 

Lowest ticket price available for individual purchase (non 'kids' pricing):

 

Mets: $5 (in three seperate areas, Mezzanine, Loge and Upper)

Marlins: $8

 

Now...are the Marlins still such a slam dunk value? :whistle

Um... you might want to check your stadium maps again. The Mets' "inner field box" ($62 on silver game days) is the equivalent of the Marlins' Infield Box seats ($40 on premium Fridays and Saturdays), not the founders' seats. The equivalent of the founder's field, club MVP and the best Infield Box (those right behind home plate) seats are the Home Plate and Metropolitan club seats limited to Mets season ticket holders.

 

And next time you visit Shea, sit in those Loge seats and tell me there's not a difference at the Pro's Club A seats. (Personally I like it, being higher up, but it's not the equivalent.) Or sit in the back rows of any of those three sections and tell me you wouldn't pay an extra $3 to sit in the Fish Tank. It's hard to compare the stadiums anyway, one consisting of three levels and the other two. One with 5 confusing premium (or discount) rates, the other with 2 based on the day of the week. One with no outfield, one with one and limited upper deck access. Then there's the section mapping you alluded to. The one example above is probably the best choice as they're both at field level and correlate to the bases of the infield. Yet even then we've ignored the largest deciding factors in each team's pricing strategies.

 

Way to get more people to come out. Raise ticket prices.

It's been suggested that game day sales would struggle any ways.

Simultaneous discounting (or smaller than market rate increases to) season tickets and increasing of day of the game prices encourages season ticket plans which offer immediate and definite money and loyalty.

People should also remember that Miami is among the nation's poorest cities before they start comparing them to the teams of richer cities across the country.