Article: Breaking Down the Twins Spring Ballpark Pass

[Tom Froemming]

It's pretty miserable to root for a losing team, but there are some benefits. One of the big ones is it's really affordable to attend the games. My favorite memories of the Metrodome were from nights where I got a ticket, ate like a pig, never had to stand in a single line and in total spent $10 or less. Wins were tough to come by, but it was cheap entertainment.I was as excited as anybody for Target Field to open, but I only got to one game that first season, and sat literally in the last row of the upper deck. Ticket prices have been on the decline in recent years, but the Twins are breaking new ground (in the Target Field era, at least) with their newest ticket package: the Twins Spring Ballpark Pass.

 

 

What you get

 

A ticket to 30 games from the start of the season to the end of May. That covers five weekend series, so half of those tickets are for games either on Friday night or over the weekend. Memorial Day Monday (May 29) is also included. Probably the highest-profile series is when Boston comes to town over the weekend of May 5-7.

 

There are seven weekday day games in the package, not ideal for those of us who work 9-to-5, but sometimes it's fun take a day off to spend at the ballpark. Along with the games, you're entitled to all the promotional items over that span as long as you show up early enough. That include a trapper hat, baseball cap, bobblehead (of a comic book movie character ... don't get me started), batting practice pullover and Brian Dozier T-Shirt (which will be really awkward if he gets traded by then).

 

 

What you don't get

 

Well, you don't technically get a ticket, in the traditional sense. You have to download the MLB Ballpark App and pull up your eTicket on your smartphone or tablet when you enter the stadium. I'm kinda old school, so I prefer a physical ticket, but I have used the Ballpark app at Target Field in the past, it's very slick and easy.

 

Typically the one thing a ticket to a sporting event entitles you to a seat in the stadium. This deal does not, it's a "standing room only" deal. There are plenty of great places to stand and watch a game, or plenty of bars inside the stadium where you can sit, but coming off a 103-loss season means there should also be plenty of empty seats you can occupy. The ushers, especially in the top deck, are very lenient when the stadium is half empty.

 

Another huge exclusion from this package is the home opener, which is Monday, April 3 against the Royals.

 

 

So, is it a good deal?

 

Yes, I think so, but the commenters (trolls) over at Michael Rand's article for the Star Tribune would disagree. Each ticket is going to cost you on average $3.30 per game. Sure, it's possible on some of those weekday games in particular you could score a ticket at that price on the secondary market, but I doubt that will be the case on the weekends.

 

To look at it another way, here's the cheapest face value ticket you can get for these three higher-profile games:

 

Sun., April 16 (first Sunday home game): $11

Sat. May 6 (hosting the Red Sox): $19

Mon. May 29 (Memorial Day): $15

 

So just those three games already gets you up to $45, nearly half of what you're paying for 30 games. Again, you'll likely be able to score tickets for those games cheaper than face value on Stub Hub, but I doubt they'll plummet to under $4. To put things further into perspective, here's a list of the cheapest packages on some of the Twins' other ticket offers:

 

Pick 10 Plan: $220

Flex 20 Plan: $440

Saturday Plan: $383 (13 games)

Sunday Plan: $306 (13 games)

 

Those packages do also get you the season ticket holder perks (the 10% discount on concessions is really nice) and get you into better seats, but it's not like they're right behind home plate or anything. Yes, the Spring Ballpark Pass is a great deal, even if you aren't able to go to each and every game.

 

 

If it's such a great deal, why would the team offer it?

 

Well ... there's the whole 103-losses thing ... and April and May aren't always the best weather months in Minnesota. I'm not sure if this actually went in to the thought process behind the package, but there's also the fact that Minnesota sports fans may be too wrapped up in the Wild's playoff run this spring to be bothered about baseball.

 

It's worth noting, however, that both the White Sox and Pirates are offering similar deals. The White Sox have their deal only for April, $39 for 11 games. While the Pirates deal also covers both April and May, it's more expensive ($159) and covers fewer games (26).

 

So, what do you think of this package? Great deal, or silly marketing ploy?

 

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[Thrylos]

I think that it is a good deal for the Twins.   That $99 would translate up to $1089 for someone who goes to all 30 games, based on a $33 concession spend.

 

To tell you the truth, they do not even need that $99, or the $3.33 per game.  All they need to do is ask people to make a donation of a $1 that would go to a different charity each game, standing room only.  They will make $ out of concessions, they would be good corporate citizens, and might attract more people than the $99 thing, because of the charity thing and the just a buck a game and no commitment thing (fill up on $9.99 hot dogs)

 

Now, is this a good deal for a consumer?  Depends.  It is a great deal for people who are flying Spirit Airlines and do not pay any fees.  For the rest of the humanity, Stubhub and the like are better deals...

Edited March 10, 2017 by Thrylos

[USAFChief]

I don't understand how anyone interested in the Twins, with access to TF, wouldn't take advantage of this. Fantastic idea, and fantastic deal.

[IndyTwinsFan]

Any time you can bring fans into a game who otherwise probably wouldn't attend, everyone's theoretically a winner, especially in the world of ballpark concessions.  If I lived anywhere even remotely close to Minneapolis, I'd seriously consider taking advantage of this offer.  But alas, I can't.

[Blackjack]

More people in the stadium is a win for the Twins, there will be a few people who buy nothing but the majority of the people will buy at least one $10 beer or $9 hotdog.

[stringer bell]

I got the ballpark app during TwinsFest. I'm pretty sure I'm in for this. Will study it a bit more this weekend, but 100 bucks doesn't buy a nice dinner for me and my kids. I'm sure I can get my money's worth.

[jrod23]

Genius on the Twins part.  Because they KNOW after each game is said and done, I'm likely to spend, on average, $15 for parking, $18-$27 for 2-3 Surly's, $12 for Red Cow's Poutine, and $1 for a program to take book...minimum.  The squad is in statistical disarray to the outsider.  They'd smirk.  I assume anyone who reads or comments here has no problem watching any and every game they can regardless of situation.  So to me, just show me where to sign.

This does bring me back to the days at the dome where you could sit front row of the bullpen and BS with Latroy, Eddie, or Travis Miller and drop that $10 Tom was talking about.

[eLee612]

This would be implemented right as I'm about to move out of state... >_< sounds like a great deal though and I'd definitely buy in if I could!!

[Tom Froemming]

I couldn't resist, got the package last night. It's worth noting that $99 is the bottom line price, there are no additional taxes or service fees.

[Craig Arko]

Tempting, but probably not. More time constraints than anything else.

[Jerr]

A good deal, but I:

 

1. Don't have the time for all those games.

2. Don't have all the added money to park, eat etc. for me to enjoy the game.

3. But, still a good deal for those who can afford my #1. and #2.

 

It is sad, that we have a team that the fan base/ticket demand has shrunk, due to the performance of this team, over the last (I don't want to count them) years. 

Edited March 10, 2017 by Jerr

[Dave The Dastardly]

If I was 30 years younger I'd jump on the deal, but there's no way an old geezer with bad knees, ankles, feet (take your pick) is going to go standing room only. But then he isn't going to drink too many $10 beers either unless they come with a handful of bicarbs. I bet the Twins are going to strike out with the old foggies with this package. Cheaper and easier to enjoy the game stretched out on the couch with Dick and Bert for company. But then they always say that baseball is a young man's game anyway.

[Doomtints]

Early season tickets that include a seat are as low as six bucks for some games, btw.

 

It's worth pointing out that the primary market for standing room only access is last minute buyers. The Twins are eroding their own margins by advance selling 2 months worth of access at a deep discount.

 

People who will buy this package would be buying tickets anyway -- more expensive ones -- and because of this there might be no standing room access tickets left to buy for last minute buyers who will pay more.

 

This is a good deal for a fan who wants to go to a lot of early season games (and probably sneak to a seat when the coast is clear...). But this is a bad financial move by the Twins. 

Edited March 10, 2017 by Doomtints

[Trov]

I think the deal is decent, the seven day games is a bit of an issue for many people.  As long as can take a seat after an inning or two and the ushers won't care then it is a great deal.

[Sarah]

I think it's a good deal if you already work downtown and have parking available or it is similarly convenient for you to take advantage of this. The X factor is the weather (Yeah I know you could say the X factor is the weather for anything outside) - if it's 60+ and sunny for most of the home games during April and May it's a good deal, but during most of the seasons so far at Target Field games during April and May have been brutal. And I don't think finding a seat will be a problem. :-) 

[Monkeypaws]

If I lived in the Cities, I'd do it, and encourage as many of my friends as I could to follow suit. 

 

"What ya up to tonight?"

"Nothin much."

"Ballgame!"

[stringer bell]

I'm in. I'll miss the day games and I doubt I'll watch every game, but I do figure I will find a place to sit somewhere and I'll definitely get a couple of cool hats!

[Squirrel]

If I lived there, or close enough, I'd be in on it, too. Especially if I lived an hour or two away. You don't have to worry about weather so much as you can make your decision to make the drive (or not) depending on how the weather looks. And, hopefully, will be able to find a seat somewhere.