My college friends and I do a trip to a new stadium every summer as a way to keep a guaranteed trip on the books, up to around 20 parks now.

I'll share an anecdote of a story I overheard of anyway group of guys doing this same thing at the same time, and their perspective on Rate Field.

Two years ago I was at my gate at the San Francisco airport after doing a double dip of a Giants game Friday afternoon (incredible!) and Oakland game Saturday night (depressing!). Oakland's stadium experience was just so sad with the upper bowl totally closed off, fans were loud and proud, and just knowing there were like 8 games left in that building before they left for LV.

Gate area at the airport is empty except for two other guys and I overhear them debating all of the stadiums they've been to, best to worst. One of them wholeheartedly said Rate Field was the worst fan experience and that he would never, ever want to return. Worse than any other stadium, including Oakland and Tampa.

Now, this is an outsider perspective and not a fan of the team, so they didn't tailgate etc to get the full experience. And it's only one voice calling it the worst. But non-Sox fans are not champing at the bit to come see a game here. We have an opportunity to make this fan-friendly for our fans and make it an attractive place to visit.

1 hour ago, MiddleCoastBias said:

My college friends and I do a trip to a new stadium every summer as a way to keep a guaranteed trip on the books, up to around 20 parks now.

I'll share an anecdote of a story I overheard of anyway group of guys doing this same thing at the same time, and their perspective on Rate Field.

Two years ago I was at my gate at the San Francisco airport after doing a double dip of a Giants game Friday afternoon (incredible!) and Oakland game Saturday night (depressing!). Oakland's stadium experience was just so sad with the upper bowl totally closed off, fans were loud and proud, and just knowing there were like 8 games left in that building before they left for LV.

Gate area at the airport is empty except for two other guys and I overhear them debating all of the stadiums they've been to, best to worst. One of them wholeheartedly said Rate Field was the worst fan experience and that he would never, ever want to return. Worse than any other stadium, including Oakland and Tampa.

Now, this is an outsider perspective and not a fan of the team, so they didn't tailgate etc to get the full experience. And it's only one voice calling it the worst. But non-Sox fans are not champing at the bit to come see a game here. We have an opportunity to make this fan-friendly for our fans and make it an attractive place to visit.

33% is upper deck isolation/heights

33% lack of things to do in surrounding area/parking lots

33% low attendance most seasons leaves visitors a depressed feeling except for weekends

totally different atmosphere 2008 G163 or this year's post season...at least 25 or so home games this season as well

ramp were quantity in Old Comiskey but just a reminder of seat segregation in GRF

suites in middle destroy coziness

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by caulfield12

1 hour ago, MiddleCoastBias said:

My college friends and I do a trip to a new stadium every summer as a way to keep a guaranteed trip on the books, up to around 20 parks now.

I'll share an anecdote of a story I overheard of anyway group of guys doing this same thing at the same time, and their perspective on Rate Field.

Two years ago I was at my gate at the San Francisco airport after doing a double dip of a Giants game Friday afternoon (incredible!) and Oakland game Saturday night (depressing!). Oakland's stadium experience was just so sad with the upper bowl totally closed off, fans were loud and proud, and just knowing there were like 8 games left in that building before they left for LV.

Gate area at the airport is empty except for two other guys and I overhear them debating all of the stadiums they've been to, best to worst. One of them wholeheartedly said Rate Field was the worst fan experience and that he would never, ever want to return. Worse than any other stadium, including Oakland and Tampa.

Now, this is an outsider perspective and not a fan of the team, so they didn't tailgate etc to get the full experience. And it's only one voice calling it the worst. But non-Sox fans are not champing at the bit to come see a game here. We have an opportunity to make this fan-friendly for our fans and make it an attractive place to visit.

Just think, back in the day this old guy went to games at Comiskey and Wrigley just to see Major League Baseball games and greats stars like Williams, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Mathews and so many more besides our guys like Fox Minoso and Aparicio and never gave the experience and all this other stuff a thought while only paying a 1.25 for a grandstand seat, I can’t believe I survived all these years without the “experience”.

2 hours ago, MiddleCoastBias said:

My college friends and I do a trip to a new stadium every summer as a way to keep a guaranteed trip on the books, up to around 20 parks now.

I'll share an anecdote of a story I overheard of anyway group of guys doing this same thing at the same time, and their perspective on Rate Field.

Two years ago I was at my gate at the San Francisco airport after doing a double dip of a Giants game Friday afternoon (incredible!) and Oakland game Saturday night (depressing!). Oakland's stadium experience was just so sad with the upper bowl totally closed off, fans were loud and proud, and just knowing there were like 8 games left in that building before they left for LV.

Gate area at the airport is empty except for two other guys and I overhear them debating all of the stadiums they've been to, best to worst. One of them wholeheartedly said Rate Field was the worst fan experience and that he would never, ever want to return. Worse than any other stadium, including Oakland and Tampa.

Now, this is an outsider perspective and not a fan of the team, so they didn't tailgate etc to get the full experience. And it's only one voice calling it the worst. But non-Sox fans are not champing at the bit to come see a game here. We have an opportunity to make this fan-friendly for our fans and make it an attractive place to visit.

My best friend was a diehard Cub fan, and he preferred the Cell over Wrigley, to each his own.

46 minutes ago, The Mighty Mite said:

Just think, back in the day this old guy went to games at Comiskey and Wrigley just to see Major League Baseball games and greats stars like Williams, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Mathews and so many more besides our guys like Fox Minoso and Aparicio and never gave the experience and all this other stuff a thought while only paying a 1.25 for a grandstand seat, I can’t believe I survived all these years without the “experience”.

I am right there with you on watching the ballgame...BUT...I get it...there aren't a lot of "fans" that grow up the way we did in this era! Not being critical...if someone is dropping as much money as they do at an MLB game these days and they expect more than a game...I understand it!

22 minutes ago, BrittBurnsFan said:

I am right there with you on watching the ballgame...BUT...I get it...there aren't a lot of "fans" that grow up the way we did in this era! Not being critical...if someone is dropping as much money as they do at an MLB game these days and they expect more than a game...I understand it!

We used to buy those cheap scorecards day of game, write out the starting lineups, etc.

Almost nobody except broadcasters and those listening at home on the radio older than 50 would do that anymore.

1 hour ago, BrittBurnsFan said:

I am right there with you on watching the ballgame...BUT...I get it...there aren't a lot of "fans" that grow up the way we did in this era! Not being critical...if someone is dropping as much money as they do at an MLB game these days and they expect more than a game...I understand it!

Right, I’m with you. I don’t really care about the experience if the Sox are playing because I’m too focused on the game. In fact I rarely leave my seat at all. When I’m traveling and go to other venues, though, I indulge more in the “experience” side of it, and that’s how I expect casual fans treat home games too.

At the end of the day, I want the Sox park to be awesome mostly because I want the team to gain every competitive advantage possible.