My_Sox_Summer

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Oct 12, 2012 -> 08:28 AM) There are probably a few who will only attend playoff games, but I think the larger factor is the scarcity of playoff tickets. The last month of the season has an average of about 15 home games, with about 600,000 tickets available for those games. A round of playoff has two guaranteed home games, with only about 80,000 tickets available. You have the a slightly larger number of fans vying for a much smaller number of tickets. I was hoping to see the market for the playoff tickets. I don't think the demand was going to be that great to be honest.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 12, 2012 -> 07:40 AM) If Sox fans exerted the same amount of energy trying to attend Sox games that they exert making excuses about why they don't go to games, the Cell would be sold out 81 games year. I agree. Eye opening was how quickly playoff tickets sold out. Fair weather or just excited?

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Oct 10, 2012 -> 12:51 PM) i completly agree. It's funny.. we make comparisons to Cubs games attendance. I think parking costs are a big factor in detering a certain amount of fans coming to the games. With the Cubs example, I'm guessing that a majority of those in attendance didn't pay for parking, where as with the Sox, they did. $23 isnt cheap. I'd be curious to see what % of Cubs attendance is from people within a 5 mile radius of the stadium. What % of Sox attendance is the same? Personally, its not so much the costs as it is the time/hassle for me to go to games. With a 2 year old at home, and I live way out in Geneva, we are talking about a 90 minute drive in and 60 minute drive home plus finding a babysitter, etc. Was fortunate enough to go to 3 games this year. Scout Seats (awesome), Upper Deck (thanks Kids Club) and Box Seats (company giveaway). I read somewhere that 40% of each game's attendance for the Cubs is tourists. I would be willing to bet that the people using public transportation, live in the area, are comparable between the two teams. I agree with you about the parking, honestly that takes away a person who would go to more games. I don't know what they can do about that. I do know that you can park early by Bacardi for free and most people don't know that. I also think there needs to be an incentive to get people out on a Wed or a Tues. Stop having promos on a weekend. People will be there anyways. The Sox were not a unique team that did well but didn't sell tickets this year.

QUOTE (Tuna @ Oct 10, 2012 -> 10:04 AM) Everybody's situation is different. I live in the suburbs, have kids that want to go, etc...I'm not just buying one ticket, I need 3 or 4. I have to pay for parking, I have to pay for drinks/food, whether it be at the park or eating before we get there because we're driving when we would typically be eating dinner. Do you have any idea how early people from the northern suburbs have to leave to get to 35th st by 7pm? I work so Mondays aren't a great option, I'd imagine that's the case for most people and that would be the reasoning behind the Sox giving that pricing in the first place. There's no "excuses" being made, I'm giving you REASONS as to why. I think you are right for what I did, no you can't do that. But, if you wanted to attend more games you could. There are free places to park. You can bring a dinner from home. You don't have to sit in the good seats. It can be done cost effectively, but it takes effort. Is Metra an option for you? Heck, we used to park downtown and take a train to Wrigley. It depends how bad you want to go to a game. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was to go to a game. It didn't matter where I sat, what I got, I just wanted to spend time with my dad. I had very few of those experiences in my childhood, but we made up for them when I got older.

Some stats for ya. http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/da-stats/

Thanks! It can be done on the cheap if you want it to. But my situation is unique as I walked to games and I am just a single ticket guy. I posted the final games today so check out my blog at http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/ 47 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...grandpa-darkow/ 48 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...onor-of-baby-a/ 49 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...-of-my-friends/ 50 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...honor-of-devin/ 51 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...12-sox-vs-rays/ 52 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...12-sox-vs-rays/ 53 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/10/0...l-game-of-2012/ I plan on coming out with the final few blogs with some stuff that I have taken from this experience early in the week. Plus the stats. I have a spreadsheet and everything!

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Sep 28, 2012 -> 05:35 PM) Saw your Sox-o-Gram at the game last night. Congratulations, did you pay for that or did the team put it up there? Cool. I have a friend who has a friend who works for the team. She put it up there, for free. I had no idea. I am typing up the last few blogs and will post when they are done. Sorry it has taken so long, but I have been working. I did make my goal, and a few extra. I will let ya know the details in the blog!

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 20, 2012 -> 01:33 PM) Did those two organizations want to write about you? Chicago magazine would be a great one and Daily Herald would be good cause it's a daily publication. I think if the Sox make the playoffs you might get a lot of pub. They wrote me back and said they had sent the info to their writer. It was up to the writers if they wanted to do it. So far I haven't heard from anyone. I am not doing this for publicity, but I thought it would be a good story for a Sox writer.

Two new blogs! #45- 9/12/12 – Sox vs. Detroit - In Memory of My Grandpa Swartley http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/2...andpa-swartley/ #46- 9/13 (17) /12 – Sox vs. Detroit - In Honor of My Dad http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/2...onor-of-my-dad/ Only 4 games left! Please, if you want to, send the blog link to your fave White Sox player, writer, announcer, anyone! I am on Twitter @mysoxsummer ! Looking for a little publicity for a few causes, any help would be appreciated! Thanks guys and gals!

Just an update- I have contacted 37 people about my blog (TV, newspaper) and have received 2 responses. From Chicago Magazine and The Daily Herald. Why would the media want to do a feel good story about the Sox? If anyone wants to send my blog out to media outlets, I would appreciate it.

Two New Blogs! #43 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/1...e-lee-swartley/ #44 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/1...n-kellen-selmi/ Please check them out! Closer and closer to my goal! Thanks for reading and GO SOX!

Thanks for the info Greg! I have sent out a bunch of emails, no response yet. I have 2 new updates on the blog too. Check them out! Game 41- 9/7/12 – Sox vs. Royals (In Honor of Gracie West) http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/1...of-gracie-west/ Game 42- 9/8/12 – Sox vs. Royals (In Honor of Katie Lawless) http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/1...-katie-lawless/ I am at the Tigers series all week, and actually met and enjoyed my 43rd game with a Sox Talk member. Look for that very soon! Thanks for reading and GO SOX!

Hey Guys- I am looking for a little press as I have come to the final 10 games of my 50 game quest. I have been looking on the net to find most of the beat writers for the Sox as well as the guys who are on the radio too. Who do you think I should contact? Names are great and so are emails! Thanks guys! Two new blogs going up soon, plus I am at the Tigers series all week. Thanks!

New blogs posted guys! I am at game 40 with a total of $315 spent. Check out the new posts! #38 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/0...2-sox-vs-twins/ #39 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/0...the-whole-game/ #40 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/09/0...2-sox-vs-twins/ Thanks for reading! Just 10 more to make my goal, it's been fun, let's finish strong. GO SOX!

http://www.amazon.com/You-Know-Me-Ring-Lardner/dp/0020223420 There was a blog a few years back, same guy, didn't work then either.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Aug 29, 2012 -> 12:49 PM) I didn't realize one's level of fandom correlated with their opinion of the announcer. I can't stand AJ and Beckham either. Alex Rios is my second favorite player. I love Alexei. I loved Frank when everybody hated him. I look back on Albert Belle fondly. Where do I turn in my fan card? I didn't realize that I had that much power. I guess I should use it for good?

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Aug 29, 2012 -> 08:37 AM) So, dedicating time and money to go to or watch about 130 games a year doesn't make one a die hard Sox fan. Their adoration for Ken Harrelson is what really does it? Hawk is White Sox baseball to you, not me. Hawk makes you think? He hasn't said anything original in 20+ years and he makes you think? Really? Really. Spending money makes you more of a fan? I don't think so. Game attendance doesn't matter much either, I think it's more than that. I bet there are people out there that have been to way less games than I have this year but are bigger fans. I am located (and you too if your name is true) that makes it very easy for us to catch a ton of games. I love baseball and I love going to the games, but I don't think the two are linked to being a bigger fan. Read what I said, if you HATE Hawk you are not a die hard Sox fan. Once again, I don't think it needs to be stated, but it is my view only. Name me a cutting edge baseball announcer that is saying something original? Most of the guys up there are just so vanilla. Hawk at least tries to be different. I can understand why some people don't like him, but not Sox fans, IMO.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 28, 2012 -> 08:53 PM) I don't hate Hawk the person. I hate Hawk's broadcasts as they increasingly get worse year to year. So who do you enjoy doing the games? Who is good at it in your view?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 28, 2012 -> 05:55 PM) Having many memebers of your own team's fanbase hate you is "doing something right"? That's an interesting way to look at it. If you hate Hawk, you aren't a die hard fan IMO. Not that it's wrong, just my view. But yes, having people go from one extreme to another (even within a fan base) means you are doing something right IMO. That means people have an opinion on what you do and you aren't some vanilla soft serve up there just. I love Hawk. He IS White Sox baseball. I don't agree with him 100% of the time, but that is why I like him. Makes ya think.

I made some icons that you can use on your Twitter or FB. Even an Avatar on here. Thanks for reading guys! http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/08/2...ox-and-my-blog/

There are two ways to be a homer, Vin Scully's way and Hawk's way. Hawk being so hated means he's doing something right.

New Blogs Posted! #34 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/08/2...birthday-to-me/ #35 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/08/2...2-sox-vs-yanks/ #36 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/08/2...sox-vs-seattle/ #37 http://mysoxsummer.wordpress.com/2012/08/2...-another-sweep/ Fun week at the ballpark. Two sweeps. Hope they win some on the road this week! Thanks for reading guys! And please share with your other Sox friends!

At the beginning of the season I purchased a Smart Circle plan that has six (6) buy one get one tickets. I have only used one and have bought the rest of the tickets I need for this season. Why use one of these? Because it can save you a bunch of money. These are good for the following dates- 8/24,26 (Seattle) ($40 tickets for only $20 when you buy two) and 9/4,5 (Twins) ($36 tickets down to $18 each), 9/7,8,9 (KC) ($40 down to $20), 9/11,12,13 (Detroit, Could decide the AL Central!) ($36 to $18 each), 9/25,26 (Indians) ($36 to $18 each) and the final home series 9/27,28,29,30 (Rays) ($40 to $20 each). A very cost effective way to watch the final games of the year with your favorite Sox fan! You can use these for sections 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 156,157,159,160,161,162,163,164 and the ENTIRE Upper Deck! And if you buy seats in the upper deck, they are as cheap as $7 a seat! I am looking for Ventura from this year and a Frank Thomas Statue from season's past. But I will consider anything you have to trade. Just let me know! PM or send me an email at mysoxsummer@gmail.com

QUOTE (joeynach @ Aug 15, 2012 -> 11:04 AM) ....such a better experience! Subjective, but to each their own! GO SOX!

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 14, 2012 -> 02:05 PM) Exactly how close do you live, and do you have a parking space? I'd think people would buy you a $20 ticket in exchange for use of your parking spot. I have 4 parking passes. I think we thought that more of our friends would be using them but that hasn't happened. If anyone wants to walk the distance (less than a mile, takes me about 10-15 mins) let me know. You can park within a few bocks of my place, but they do check to make sure you live close. If we make the playoffs, might make a pretty decent trade.