Games with odd start times

by ReasonableDoubt on Mar 16, 2009 9:12 AM EDT

I went down to the Trop to get my first set of tickets this year (Screw you Ticketmaster, and your 7 dollars a ticket surcharge), and as I looked through the schedule, I noticed there are some odd start times this year. I remember last year with its random 12:40 PM "School Day" start times and everything, but some of these are just awkward.

For example, there are four games this year (4/15 v. Yankees, 5/5 v. O's, 5/21 v. A's, and 6/4 v. Royals) with start times at 4:08 PM. These are weekday home games. If all we're going to hear this year is attendance, attendance, and attendance, why are these games being scheduled for such awkward times?

There are two additional games (7/9 v. Blue Jays and 8/2 v. Royals) that have 12:08 starts, but I'll assume those are the "Back to School Days" start times.

I know there were a number of 1:00 starts last year, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday to round out a homestand, but who benefits from a 4:00 start?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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I guess the road team that has to travel elsewhere.

by R.J. Anderson on Mar 16, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

I was just gonna say that.

I’d even bet that the 4pm games are like, Thursdays. Have the traveling team(s) in place for their weekend set after the game.

If you want results, press the red button. The rest are useless.

by Katie on Mar 16, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

$7?

I thought it was $3 this year, and I thought that was a raise of $1. Are you sure that’s right?

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by kericr on Mar 16, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

It's correct

If you are buying online…which of course defeats the purpose of the day-of-game surcharge.

As for the odd start times, if you check the historical attendance figures for a lot of the odd start times, you may be surprised. The Rays often use these dates as a change to give away free/reduced tickets (usually to kids groups…most of which would be available at those times). It may lose them money in the short term, but it’s very valuable for community relations, and helps them build a fanbase for the future….plus its just a nice thing to do.

by GomesSweetGomes on Mar 16, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Huh...that's pretty cool

That makes sense, though, because none of those games (minus the Yankees) is against an opponent you’d expect to draw amazingly well or anything. If they’re not going to sell as many tickets during those games anyway, might as well get something positive from them still.

"I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation." - Satchel Paige

by Steve Slowinski on Mar 16, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Did you crosscheck against the TV schedule?

I suspect the 4:08 games might be nationally televised, hence the odd start time.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 16, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

If a Rays/Royals game in June on a weekday is nationally televised, I will eat my hat.

GSG brings up a point I hadn’t thought of, though. Good show.

And yes, Ticketmaster jacks the price up 7 bucks. They tack on a “convenience” fee to every charge. If you’re buying more than a few tickets, I highly suggest driving down and picking them up directly from the Trop on a Saturday or Sunday when there’s no traffic.

by ReasonableDoubt on Mar 16, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

It's called get away day

RJ hit the nail on the head. I am guessing either the Rays or whoever they are playing has a game the next day in a different city. They can’t play a night game because of travel.

The noon games are probably going to be the summer camp days

by Sveet on Mar 16, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions