We are tentatively planning a Sabermetrics Night with the Chicago White Sox, to be held during their series against the Oakland A’s that will run from Monday, June 1st through Thursday, June 4th. The night will consist of a pre-game talk and tickets to the game. There are a few seating options we are considering, and we want your input as we make our decision as to where to hold the event at US Cellular Field.
Option # 1: Pre-Game Talk, Lower-Level Game Tickets with Patio Party Option
We would reserve the team’s Conference and Learning Center from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. This area holds up to 150 guests. The talk would begin at 4:00, with guests entering through Gate 3, and would end by 5:30 when the gates to the ballpark would open. Everyone attending would then exit the stadium and re-enter the ballpark; the game tickets would be half-priced and located on the 100 level in the outfield. Attendees would have the option of purchasing a ticket to a two-hour “all you can eat/drink” pre-game buffet in the White Sox’s Patio Party Area, the details of which can be viewed here. Roughly speaking, the total price per person would be $42 without the patio party, and $83 with the patio party; you would have the option to choose either price point.
Option # 2: Pre-Game Talk with “Super Tickets”
With this option, again we would reserve the Conference and Learning Center and the talk would take place from 4:00-5:30. Attendees would purchase a 100 level outfield area game ticket with a hot dog value meal, with the entire package most likely being around $50 per person.
Option # 3: Terrace Suite
Our third option would allow us to host the entire event in the same space, one of the team’s Terrace Suites, located down the left-field line on the 300 level. Along with the talk would be an all-inclusive, to-be-determined food and drink package including appetizers, dinner, dessert, and coffee. Estimated price would be around $115 per person.
We are looking for your input, so any thoughts and comments you have to offer would be great for us to hear and pass along to the Sox.
I sort of like option #3, but that might be pricey depending on how many people you expect for attendance. Option #1 gives you more flexibility, but I feel option #3 would be the most enriching for those who actually showed up. I'm a Cubs guy, but I'd go to this.
i would do any of the options. however, i'm not a big fan of the terrace suites for actual game watching (which i would want to do as a white sox fan) and i'm not sure it's that ideal for a pre-game talk.
I agree with you and I have been in a few. You just don't really feel like you are at the game. To me, if I am "not at the game" I dont want to sit in traffic before or after the game.
Give me her name and number and I'll invite her over for the evening. You can then take that evening at the ballpark. I promise that nothing untoward would happen to her. BWAHAHAHAHA (evil laugh)
You can pretty much guarantee that Kevin and I would be there, and I would hope that city/region compadres Bil Burke, Will Carroll, and/or BP alum Rany Jazayerli might all also be in the mix.
I'm indifferent between #1 and 3 (provided I still have a job in 10 weeks...if not, #1 all the way and I'll skip the patio party, but I'll still definitely be there).
I'm sure I'd do #2 too, but I don't really see the point of it vis-a-vis the other two options.
I can't even afford the cheap version of option 1. No chance of a student discount I suppose? Or a version where we get to buy our own game tickets (I can only ever afford the cheap cheap 500 level seats)?
Same thought as some other people - I'd make the trip but weekdays are usually tough (but then again, I am sure that they are giving you options like this BECAUSE they are weekday games)
Actually, I think the Terrace Suites have outdoor seating. The big Diamond Suites do not and would be lousy for seeing the game.
Another option on that is what my law firm did a couple of times, which was essentially rent out the left field corner of the 300 level. They closed off the concourse at that end for us, and then your seats are regular 300 level seats out there. That's pretty similar to the Terrace Suites though, which are in the same area above and below.
Too bad there isn't presentation capability on the Fan Deck in center field, because they'll rent that out too.
I think Option 1 is the best - as a Sox ST holder, I've rarely enjoyed watching games from the 300 level (unless it's raining!). It doesn't feel like baseball as much as being on the 100 level does. It feels like that Miller High Life commercial where the beer man enters the suite and the people don't know what inning it is.
i vote that you schedule one of these for South Florida. I've seen that you've been to Tampa but I can't recall you ever visiting the Marlins and South Florida.
As a bridgeporter, I like option #1. The price difference for the patio party is about the cost of three beers, two dogs, and funnel cake, which is hardly par for the course.
See, the problem for me isn't so much deciding to go to the game (option 1 is best by the way) it's that I would have to go by myself. My buddies that I always go to Sox games with are in my fantasy league, and as far as I know they don't know of BP or at least just what they read on ESPN. Inviting them would open me up to so many questions where they finally realize why I finish in the money EVERY YEAR!
I would attend any of the options, but the more affordable the better. The food available at the Terrace level is of a larger variety than in the regular stands.
I'm a little confused though...Under Option 1 you say that the game tickets would be half-priced but then you say the total cost w/o the Patio Party will be $42? So the tickets would be normally $84? Am I missing something?
(Wait, do they still do half-price Mondays, is that what you mean? So the tickets would be $21?)
Hope you can schedule a sabremetrics night at petco in sandiego, or at dodger stadium in LA, in the near future. The locations, the weather and the food are far better, and much better seats can be scored for far less.
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I like option 1. Being a recent Chicago resident, I am very excited about this.