Wrigley Field Ticket Wristband Field Report
by Al Yellon on Feb 17, 2010 3:00 PM CST
in News
103 comments
The photo above is what you'll see on the cover of the new pocket schedules at Wrigley Field if you go there to get a ticket wristband. They are open until 10 pm tonight and from 7 am till 10 pm tomorrow. I can report that for the first time in memory -- since they started the wristband system several years ago -- there was absolutely no line in midafternoon (I was there just after 2 pm). Even last year, there was a ten-minute wait, and some years the line snaked around the ballpark for up to 90 minutes.
I'm not sure if this means demand is lower in general, or just because a lot of people who might otherwise have done the wristbands have bought season tickets this year. We'll find out on Friday.
Other notes after the jump.
- You can now join a Cubs Newborn Club for your new baby, for $45.
- The Wrigley Field fantasy camp that was advertised at the Cubs Convention for July 25 and 26, has been moved to August 8 and August 9. The flyer says you get "first-class treatment" for the game vs. the Reds on August 8, and then participate in the fantasy camp on August 9 (Cubs are on the road that day). It says to check the Cubs website for more info, but I can't find any.
- There will be another "Road to Wrigley" minor league game this summer. No date or team is mentioned on the flyer they passed out, but I have heard rumors it may involve Iowa again.
- The promotional schedule as noted on the pocket schedule has been updated; it appears now to match what's posted here.
- You'll get a free copy of the January Vine Line if you go and get a wristband. Don't expect too many pocket schedules, though. I had to practically beg to get four of them.
- No update on ballpark construction -- it looked the same today as it did last week when I was there.
- Good luck on Friday!
0 recs |
103 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
sheesh - at least buy him a drink or two first... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
09160
I get these to be able to buy extras for friends. I have yet to come within 5,000 of the chosen number, in all the years I’ve gotten a wristband.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Maybe this will be your year.
Neither my friend Marc nor my Mother who had gotten good numbers over the years was available this year. I did not try that hard to recruit but I did get two friends so two wristband numbers.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 7:28 PM CST up reply actions
thanks for the report, Al. Think I'll head over now.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Al, do you know..
if there’s going to be an ad campaign like there was last year?
"You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace."
What kind of ad campaign are you talking about?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Maybe this "Year 1" thing is it.
Or the beginning of it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/2/17/761604/2009-cubs-advertising-camp
"You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace."
Does anyone know how late the Box office will be open on Friday?
I can only find the time it opens (8:00 AM) but wasn’t sure if it would be open later. (I believe the normal closing time is 6:00 PM M-F).
Hey, it's a new century!
In past years...
… if they were still calling numbers, they would stay open till past 6 pm on Friday. Not sure about this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's good news.
I remember it was REALLY cold last year.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Feb 17, 2010 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
So if it's 33 or 34 degrees every day...
… maybe we can get all the snow melted by April 12?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
One flake at a time
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
and it was in the mid-70's yesterday in PHX
Can’t wait to get on that plane 3/4….
Just win the next game...!
that sounds dangerous...
wouldn’t it be safer to get on a whole plane? ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I'm totally signing up
my soon to be born child for that newborn club. That’s pretty cool.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Feb 17, 2010 3:58 PM CST reply actions
congrats sir
my family intends to get that when my uncle has his next kid in April.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
Yes we are, brother
We can’t lose another one!
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
Welcome to another exciting episode of "What's My Number?"
One of my first names is a Chicago icon.
One of my last names is a real blast and a big name in the world of models.
I’ve been on the mound, behind the plate, and even played a little shortstop (emphasis on little).
There used to be a great fast food joint in Rosemont named after me (well, at least I like to think that it was).
If you’re a Cubs fan, “you gotta have” me on your roster.
Some say I was a big part of Sammy’s success.
And come Friday morning at 6am, I’m gonna be hoping for a really really really low number or a really really really high number to be called.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yeah - "Year Won" would have been so much better...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Fantasy Camp
When I talked to a guy at the convention he said that while they didn’t have a price set in stone, it was likely that the price would end up being somewhere $4,000-$5,000 range.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
it's possible the guy just made a number up
but yeah that’s what I thought too. especially since I don’t think that’s all that far off from what the hundley camp is.
---AC 00 00 00 - Believe
It is, IIRC....
… MORE than the Hundley camp charges.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I can see it
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Feb 17, 2010 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
Which one is Castro?
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Feb 17, 2010 11:04 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, and for what it's worth...
I walked by the ticket windows and they had the 2010 schedule and ticket price signs up. All the ticket prices were in nice round dollar figures, with the obligatory ‘12% entertainment tax will be added’ disclaimer in big print at the bottom.
Which means the ticket window workers will be counting out lots of coins in change, assuming they still take cash for tickets after the first weekend.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That's the same way the prices are listed on the sheet they handed out with the wristbands.
I can’t imagine the ticket sellers would be happy to count out all those pennies. They can’t not accept cash, either.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Double negative there Al. Don't cross the streams.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. Oh, wait, they DO… ;)
"Pantone 567", thanks for asking...
They don't take cash on the first day of sales
I don’t know if anyone has every challenged them.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 6:31 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, they do, maybe just not for bleachers.
I paid cash last year (wasn’t buying bleachers) as my sister had the closer number.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Feb 18, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
Correct.
But after that, I don’t see how they can refuse cash.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't think there is any requirement that you can't take cash
I actually like why the don’t take cast, because it is to prevent scalper/brokers from recruiting homeless or similar from being shills for them. I always thought the wristband system was the best thing the Cubs did. It more labor intensive for them, but they make a real effort to let regular fans have fair shot at good tickets.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
US Dollars...
… are legal tender for all debts, public or private. That’s what it says on every piece of US paper money. I don’t see how a business can refuse to take them if offered.
Some people don’t have credit cards. How are they supposed to buy tickets?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
then why
are they allowed to refuse cash for Bleacher seats?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 18, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
You can refuse cash
I remembered Fed X did not take cash and another place pointed out Airlines will no longer take cash for
items bought in flight. Did a little googling and here is the link, but yes the Cubs can refuse cash.
http://legallad.quickanddirtytips.com/legal-tender.aspx
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
Huh.
I did not know that. Thanks. It does screw people who don’t have credit cards.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Like me.
My identity was stolen (somebody digging through my trash / mail when i lived up at Irving Park and Clark). Went from a nice saving account and near perfect credit to being about $30,000 in debt and a credit score hovering around 400 in about a week as Chase sat around and twiddled their thumbs.
Now, no credit cards.
Word the wise… GET A SHREDDER AND LOCK YOUR MAILBOXES!
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 2:35 PM CST up reply actions
Did they not give it back to you?
I thought for one thing you are not responsible for any CC charge?
Thanks for scaring the crap out of me.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, credit cards were the only place i escaped unscathed.
The bank fraud element (somebody physically depositing and withdrawing thousands of dollars out of my account, obviously without proper ID) is still in limbo, but as you would expect, there is something of a Catch-22 with this type of situation… i’m now too broke to really hire the legal help i’d need to fight this properly. As far as Chase BANKS are concerned, i’m liable at this point. Same goes for a BofA account opened in my name at the time it happened, and then withdrawn to a negative balance. I can’t file in small claims, as the amounts are larger than the limits here in IL ($10,000).
I guess the people that steal identities often sell them on the internet, so after they cleared my bank accounts and charged a few things to me, they then dispersed my info all over the country for others to use. I’ve been taken to collections for Sprint accounts in Reno opened in my name, credit lines in Gary, DirectTV accounts in Alabama…
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
FWIW...
… whoever did this was able to take total control of my financial world with nothing more than a few pieces of mail from Chase and a W2 they took from my mailbox.
Seriously. GET A SHREDDER.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
Not surprised there is no line
Between the prebuys and the lack of press (um and the bad season) a lot of folks just may not want to do the wristband.
I just contacted a friend who does it every year and he had completely forgotten and had no idea it was starting today.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
All the pre-sales are a marketing blunder
The mad house and hype of Day 1 causes everybody – I don’t care who you are – to buy more than they would or should.
All the pre-sales have hurt the Day 1 excitement, because after all, it’s not Day 1 anymore. The biggest games are already sold out and the wristband-type-folks already feel secure in having a few tickets. So why bother taking a day off work and accidentally buying those Tuesday and Wednesday that seemed like such a good idea last year on Day 1?
IMO, either raise ticket prices, or don’t. The pre-sale system just dampens momentum for non-premium games and pulls in less $$ that they’d get if they just raised prices 20% for premium games and called it good.
That said, for the record I LIKE the experimentation and hope the Rickettseses keep it up!
the biggest games are NOT sold out
Rather, the pre-sale ticket allocation for the biggest games are sold out.
Come Friday morning at 8 am, there will be plenty of tickets available for the big games. Obviously not as much as in past years because of the pre-sale, but a sizable number none the less.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You're missing the point of "pre-sales"
The Cubs draw near ballpark capacity. Whether they sell most of their tickets on the first weekend or a combo of first weekend + pre-sales, those tickets are sold. If they can manage more revenue with the combo (which they will or they would not be doing this) then they’ll do it.
We’ll all find out in several days the Feb 19th feeding frenzy, which is what I’ve called it in years past, will have lower overall sales than in previous years. That’s fine. As long as the Cubs close-in on the 3.1-3.25M season attendance, then these pre-sales will have guaranteed greater revenue; my guess is all the pre-sales will generate about $5M greater revenue.
Just win the next game...!
Trust me, I get it
The pre-sales are designed to maximize revenue.
My point is that they won’t.
More revenue over last year? Yes.
More revenue over a 20% increase in all ticket prices the games they could have sold out in the pre-sale? By definition, no.
The Cubs have dampened initial demand for non-premium games while minimizing revenue for premium games vs. an across the board hike with a single on-sale date.
"Minimizing revenue for premium games"?
By selling about 10% of the tickets at a markup?
How do you arrive at that conclusion?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You got a number to back up that 10%, Al?
You keep claiming it, and i really want to believe you as i couldn’t muster the will to pay the 20% premium.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
Those are the (approximate) numbers I've been told.
I have no reason to doubt them.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Read my two posts in this thread
How does a limited, 20% markup for a few days not minimize revenue versus a 20% markup across-the-board to games that will sell out regardless?
7pm in and out in 5 minutes
i overheard one of the workers stating that the after work rush had started. maybe people just haven’t realized it yet.
One question, they only sold a limited number of the tickets through the presale right? so there should still be tickets left for some of those games or no?
I'm a fan of the cover of the pocket schedules
Sends a message in my opinion
To eliminate exclusion, we cut out the differences to feel like we belong.
But what, exactly, is the message that you get from it?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think it is pretty clear
To me, it is saying that the past is the past and this season is a new beginning under new ownership. I like that idea.
Now, if they could just convince the owners of the building on Sheffield to get rid of the embarrassing AC sign.
maybe... but at least to me it brings to mind the eamus catuli sign and all its baggage
you can’t get much by that #$%@ ballhawk -- LT
When Tribune Co. took over...
… they had the slogan “Building a new tradition” for their first year. I guess this is trying to say the same thing.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I like the AC sign.
It’s like the L flags.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 18, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
I hate both of them
I had a friend from New York (a Yankee fan) come visit me and he asked me about the AC sign. When I told him what it meant, he couldn’t understand why fans would want to celebrate failure. I think it is embarrassing.
The “L” flag, while I can’t stand it, at least has a history and had a purpose. I still wish they’d get rid of it. What kind of organization advertises its failures?
It's informational.
It doesn’t say “we are losers”. It says, “We lost the game today.”
Obviously, there are other ways to find out that information. I think it’s a tradition worth preserving.
(I’m talking about the L flag here. The AC sign, I agree with you.)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
What's the high end of the wristband numbers - anyone know?
I know the numbers go way higher than how many are actually handed out. IIRC from previous years, I think the numbers went up to 20,000 or 25,000. Does that sound right?
And in the wristband heyday, I think they’d actually hand out between 10-15,000 of them. Again, does that sound right?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yes but I have a strong feeling they will give out fewer this year
I think it has been 20.000 every year. If you are in Chicago it is really the best way to get tickets. You have nothing to lose and upside is access to tickets before the “official” on line sale and NO processing fees.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 12:27 AM CST up reply actions
To clarify they HAVE had 20.000 available wrist bands
but never need all of them. I think it will be under 10,000 this year. One early reminder. IF you get a good number and are called to buy tickets, have your list with games in preference. One good thing is that NO cell phones are allowed so you can NOT check with anyone one you are inside.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
Last year they gave out about 9,000 of the 20,000.
I suspect the number will be lower this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Went at about 9:30 this morning
and we were the only ones there, with about 8 clerks doing nothing at the two tables. My wife got a 6000 number and I got a 4000 number.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 18, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
I suspect wristband demand is way down this year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The numers given out are RANDOM
You could get number 18,666 and be the first one called. Since demand appears low if you have a number within
probably 8,000 of the number drawn you will probably have a chance to get some tickets. Anything within 2.000 would probably get you very good tickets.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
12:00 today
Only a handful of people getting wristbands. Ended up around 6,000. Looked like a lot of wristbands still in the huge garbage cans.
parking outside
in the years past, I’ve parked right outside where you get your wristband but is that still available?
You can park in lot just west of Seminary.
I was directed there by Cub employees working the gate.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 18, 2010 1:54 PM CST up reply actions
Now you tell me.
I circled three times before I found a spot on the street.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Sorry!
I pulled up at the gate and asked if that was where they were handing out the wrist bands and one of the guys just volunteered the information about the parking lot. At least you got a real good look (or three) at the latest ballpark improvements!
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Feb 18, 2010 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
Great idea,
by the Ricketts to squeeze more money out of Cub fans. The baby idea, and paying 15% above ticket prices to those willing to pay the premium. Little ideas like this make me realize how they became billionaires.
BTW, I’m so glad I haven’t seen pics of Sam Zell in a long time, he annoyed the crap out of me. Not sure why, but he did.
Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...
How late will i be able to pick up a wristband tonight?
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
10pm
But I think it would be good to get there by 9
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 3:03 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 3:16 PM CST up reply actions
I happened to drive by earlier today.
There was no line at all, and even fewer cars in that lot than yesterday. I suspect demand is way down.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Great!
Its nice out so i’m gonna run errands by bike tonight. Come OOOOONNNNN wristband gods!
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 18, 2010 5:18 PM CST up reply actions
10614
only one other person in there getting one at around 3 today
by doofus cubs guy on Feb 18, 2010 9:51 PM CST reply actions
My friend who went about the same time
said he and the other person (maybe you) were easily outnumbered by Cubs staff.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 10:30 PM CST up reply actions
Snuck in at about 9, literally no line, no wait.
Got a VERY low number… big money no whammies!
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
The number is random so if they draw a number above your low one
it will not be good. Good Luck
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Feb 18, 2010 11:55 PM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
