As times are tough for many out there in today’s economy, the Orioles — much like many other teams — in the sport baseball are trying to get as many fans into the park for the upcoming season.
Orioles Director of Communications, Greg Bader was kind enough to forward this press release to me about a few fan-friendly programs that may help with offset the cost of attending a ball game in Charm City.
He touched on a few of these programs in a Q&A with the blog a few weeks ago, and some that were mentioned are below, along with a few more offerings.
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Continuing Oriole Park at Camden Yards’ tradition as the most affordable entertainment destination in the region, the Orioles have introduced a new package of programs designed to make a trip to the ballpark even more cost-effective. The 2009 Birdland Stimulus Package will combine new ticketing programs with proven, fan-friendly discounts in order to help Orioles fans enjoy the national pastime.
“In 2009, we have made an even more concentrated effort to keep Orioles baseball affordable for everyone who follows the team,” said Director of Communications GREG BADER. “The cost of attending a Orioles game at Camden Yards is already the lowest of any sports entertainment option in the region, and the Birdland Stimulus Package serves to establish additional budget-friendly opportunities so that everyone can enjoy a day at the ballpark.”
A highlight of the new Birdland Stimulus Package is “Kids Night.” This promotion invites children ages 10 and under to attend every Thursday Orioles home game for free in 2009, when they are accompanied by a paying adult. The offer is valid for up to two children per paid adult for Thursday games.
“Youth and families are the bedrock of the Orioles and Major League Baseball’s fan following,” added Bader. “More fans attend a Major League Baseball game each season than the other three major sports leagues combined, and kids and families make up a huge portion of that figure, attending MLB games in far greater proportion than the other leagues. The Orioles are proud of the unique role that Oriole Park at Camden Yards plays as a gathering place for families, and we want to encourage families to continue to call the ballpark home.”
In addition to the new Kids Night offer, the following popular discount programs will return in 2009:
* BARGAIN NIGHT – Tuesday home games are Ollie’s Bargain Nights at Camden Yards. Fans may purchase an Upper Reserve or Left Field Upper Box seat for only $8 on Ollie’s Bargain Nights, a savings of $12 per ticket for prime games and $7 per ticket for non-prime games. The first Tuesday home game of each month is also the popular “T-Shirt Tuesday” promotion, giving fans the opportunity to combine a discounted ticket with a giveaway each month.
* STUDENT NIGHT – Friday home games are Student Nights at Camden Yards. Presented by AT&T, any age student with a valid ID may purchase a Student Night Left Field Upper Reserve ticket for only $6, a $9 savings off the regular price for prime games and a $3 savings for non-prime games.
* JUNIOR ORIOLES DUGOUT CLUB – For only $17, kids 14 and under can join the best kid’s club in sports and receive tickets to 10 Dugout Club games in 2009. The program, presented by Chick-fil-A, extends the savings to family members and friends of Dugout Club members as well, as they may purchase additional tickets for only $6 each at Dugout Club games. Dugout Club members also receive a members-only giveaway item at every Dugout Club game, an official Dugout Club hat, lanyard, official membership card, free Chick-fil-A kids meal and a limited edition collectible Orioles lunchbox.
* BLEACHERS AND BOOG’S – Thursday home games feature Bleachers and Boog’s at Oriole Park. For only $15, fans receive a Eutaw Street Bleacher seat and famous Boog’s BBQ pit beef sandwich, a savings of $8 off the regular price of the game ticket and sandwich.
The Orioles remain committed to fan-friendly pricing, helping to make Orioles baseball the most affordable and valuable entertainment option in the region. Ticket prices start at $9 for almost every game, and the average ticket price ($23.85) is below the average for Major League Baseball ($25.43), the National Basketball Association ($49.47), National Hockey League ($49.66), and National Football League ($72.20). The Orioles’ average ticket price is also well below that of other sports entertainment options in the region.
The Orioles already have the lowest Major League Baseball concessions prices in the region and offer one of the most liberal food and beverage policies in professional sports, allowing fans to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages and food items to the ballpark.
Major League Baseball, attracting nearly 80 million people each season, remains the most affordable and popular live event of any professional team sport. The Orioles support affordable ticket programs as a means of making MLB games the most accessible professional sport for the greatest number of Americans. Since it ushered in a new era of ballpark design in 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards has been the standard-bearer for sports facilities in the United States, welcoming individuals from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
New programs will be added to the Birdland Stimulus Package over the coming weeks. For additional information or to order tickets, fans should visit www.orioles.com or call 1-888-848-BIRD.
