Bringing Back Sox Supporters Section at Comiskey

[Night Train Veeck]

Fellow Sox Fans,

 

I am coming to you today (As a new member of Soxtalk--Woohoo!) with a new idea seeking advice and opinions. I have posted this on WSI (White Sox Interactive for those who aren't members) as well to get their opinions.

 

Recently, my friend Peter and I, after both heading to the Cork and Kerry for a few beers and a ball game, saw an old Sox Supporters picture in the bar. We both came to the realization that this was an interesting idea, and something that needed to be brought back around the South Side, but with a new twist: taking the fan passion and pageantry of soccer fans and baseball fans, and putting a new spin on it in Comiskey. The Chicago Fire Soccer Team has an unparalleled fan section called Section 8 Chicago (section8chicago.com for those who want to take a look!), and we were thinking about bringing some of their fan traditions (banners, flags, drums, chants) over to our side of town, and creating our own White Sox fan section within the stadium. I believe with the rich tradition and fan base that baseball has, we all could create something extremely unique,great, and most importantly....fun.

 

This new group of "Sox Supporters" has garnered some interest with a few groups around the South Side, and has started to gain a little steam. It is being driven by The Brigade Farnese (a group of long time and passionate Sox fans), The Young Irish Fellowship, and White Sox Fans of Section 8. People of these groups have already started getting together to come out to the park. I presented this idea to the White Sox, and it seems as if they have taken a liking to it...

 

They are interested in the idea of providing an environment and resources to support a new fan section, and what's more, (assuming the safety of fans and players) they are leaving decisions up to the supporters themselves. A special ticket price is even on the way...

 

All this being said, I wanted to reach out to everyone, and see what your thoughts are in being a part of this with me, as this is something that no other MLB team has. We have gotten the OK to include banners, flags, drums for chants, and some of the guys over at Section 8 have even started to create White Sox specific chants for during the game and possibly scarves for fans that are participating. We are shooting to have a trial run on Friday, October, 1st at 7:10 against Cleveland. If there is enough interest, this could be something big (a living, breathing, fan entity) for next year, and many years to come.

 

So, I really want to hear everyone's thoughts, and ideas on this. If anyone wants any more details, and/or is interested in joining the soon to be newly revived Sox Supporters, shoot me an email ([email protected]) ANY time, along with my friend Anthony Scalise (a member of the Brigade Farnese, who has stepped up in helping organize this [email protected]) and we can start to gauge interest, and get this thing cooking.

 

Thanks, everyone, for taking a little time to read, and I hope to hear ideas from everyone soon. Let's have a little fun...and most importantly...

 

Go Sox!!

 

Night Train Veeck

[email protected]

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Welcome to the board, and thanks for asking our opinions!

 

I have never seen this sort of set up, so I am not even sure what to ask. Sounds intriguing, but... is this like a stand-up area to hang out? Or a set of seats dedicated to this particular group of fervent fans? And how would you determine who the fans were?

 

I'm all for anything that gets more team excitement going among fans.

 

[southsider2k5]

I get the picture of a student section at a college hoops game. If that is the idea, I LOVE it.

[justBLAZE]

I think this is a great idea and if I was in town I would love to be part of it. I grew up following soccer in Europe and almost every team has their "ULTRAS" fans who are responsible for creating and are in charge of chants, banners, flags etc. They can make any boring soccer game into a great show.

 

Best of luck to you guys. Any chance (if there was a big enough group) to get your own section, I think logistics could be problem as it will be extremely hard to get seats next to each other.

 

[BigEdWalsh]

I remember the Sox Supporters and sat near them on a few occasions. I thought it was great then and think it'd be great to bring the concept back. I am not one that would be annoyed by a drum in fact I think it's pretty cool. Beats the hell outta flashing "Make Some Noise" on the scoreboard. That's kinda like "Hey crowd, wake the f*** up!". I find it kind of insulting.

[Balta1701]

The question is going to be how you get people in the section who are actually the rabid fans and not just taking whatever seats are available. The Milwaukee Bucks wound up, almost by accident, with a rabid fan section last year...because Andruw Bogut bought the tickets and distributed them to fans so that they could actually get in that area.

 

I'd love to sit in a lower deck fan section somewhere near the action. The problem is...a premium game ticket for actual competitive games, like the Yankees or Cubs or during a pennant race...you're talking $68 a ticket for the lower-deck seats around the dugouts/home plate. Add in parking and a couple tickets and it's simply out of my price range.

 

Unless there is something special done with ticket prices for that "Fan section", it's either going to wind up being in the Upper deck or the bleachers (and thus...impossible to hear) or it's going to be filled with the upper crust of White Sox fans who can afford it...just as those seats are now.

[justBLAZE]

The question is going to be how you get people in the section who are actually the rabid fans and not just taking whatever seats are available. The Milwaukee Bucks wound up, almost by accident, with a rabid fan section last year...because Andruw Bogut bought the tickets and distributed them to fans so that they could actually get in that area.

 

I'd love to sit in a lower deck fan section somewhere near the action. The problem is...a premium game ticket for actual competitive games, like the Yankees or Cubs or during a pennant race...you're talking $68 a ticket for the lower-deck seats around the dugouts/home plate. Add in parking and a couple tickets and it's simply out of my price range.

 

Unless there is something special done with ticket prices for that "Fan section", it's either going to wind up being in the Upper deck or the bleachers (and thus...impossible to hear) or it's going to be filled with the upper crust of White Sox fans who can afford it...just as those seats are now.

 

My point exactly, I think this is where organization needs to step in and together with the supporters come up with a dedicated section.

 

I think bleachers would work if there was enough fans , def not upper deck tho.

 

[SoxFan1]

I get the picture of a student section at a college hoops game. If that is the idea, I LOVE it.

I never understood how sports fandom came to be in the US. NBA games seem to be held in libraries compared to what they do in Europe. I wish all pro sports had crazy sections like college sports.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

I'd support it.

[Balta1701]

I never understood how sports fandom came to be in the US. NBA games seem to be held in libraries compared to what they do in Europe. I wish all pro sports had crazy sections like college sports.

A big part of that is ticket prices. The average NBA fan just can't afford to get into the lower deck these days. Single game Bulls tickets in the lower section last year minimum $130 a ticket. There isn't a chance in Hell that you're going to get a crowd of anyone except high-income people in the areas that get on camrea.

[southsider2k5]

I never understood how sports fandom came to be in the US. NBA games seem to be held in libraries compared to what they do in Europe. I wish all pro sports had crazy sections like college sports.

 

The fans are the reason I still get into high school and college sports so much more than pro. It is a much more fun experience, and it has nothing to do with dot races and t-shirt throwers.

[Night Train Veeck]

Wow, I am really glad I am getting some feedback from you guys! I really think this has some legs...a little more lowdown for you...These will answer some questions...

 

NorthSideSox72: Thanks for the warm welcome! Everyone's opinions are what it's all about! Keep em comin! This would actually be a seperate section altogether for ONLY the supporters' tickets. I have proposed the idea to them and they have taken to it, and even given some room to really get this thing going. It is going to be introduced in section 108 this year, and once we garnered a following (which has already begun to get some steam through the brigade etc!) roll into next year. It would be a special ticket price, AND area dedicated. It would be a stand up area with constant tifo style and cheering. I have gotten the clearance on all of the items included, and I am working on a $20-25 price point. What are your thoughts? AND most importantly...Are you in? Let me know what you think! Excitement is what this thing is all about.

 

Southsider2k5: Glad you dig it! It will have aspects of that, as well as chanting, banners, flags etc...constant action throughout the game. I'd love to be able to get you on board!

 

justBLAZE: Great to hear you dig it too! And thanks for the blessing! If you do happen to find yourself over here for that game let me know! It DEFINITELY has an "ultra" style to it. That's what we are going for. An ultra feel with a baseball twist. No logistical issues at all. As I mentioned it is a dedicated section that we would have with everything being allowed in before the game, so there are no issues with security.

 

BigEdWalsh: Would you be on board? Do you know any other members that are around? We have a couple through the brigade that are going to be involved, and would love to get as many as possible. Do you remember anything specific else that they did? I think if we really got some support on this it could be a group that has a great deal of influence in the stadium, and with the Sox! We don't need any alarm clocks to wake the %^&* up

 

Balta1701: GREAT points here! I researched the exact case with the bucs and have thought about that. We are going to have a dedicated section so that people can elect to purchase the ticket and sit there and be a part of the action. Grand scheme tailgating would be included, so parking won't be an issue. However, for this game...if it is the ticket price you worry about....that won't be an issue A lower level section 108 ticket has been given the go ahead for a $20-25 price point for this special section. No worries there! A great lower-level seat for a ridiculous price!

 

justBLAZE: Sorry for the double up This is what I am trying to oraganize, and this is where we come in...

 

I am working very closely with them on this one, and want ANY and all input you guys have. I also want to get a list of people that would be potentially interested in heading out to the game. We are getting a lot of room to run here, and I think we could really blow this thing out and have some fun....

 

Keep the ideas comin, and Go Sox!

 

Night Train Veeck

[email protected]

 

 

 

[Night Train Veeck]

Sorry to anyone that posted when I was writing that I missed. Many of these are addressed in the above. Let me know what you guys think, and ticket prices to follow soon!

[Balta1701]

The $20-$25 price point would sound like something I'd jump at.

 

I do have to wonder...how would you go about getting these tickets into the hands of the kind of rowdy die-hards you probably want there?

 

If there's a significant discount on that section, wouldn't everyone purchasing tickets, whether they're a Twins fan or a Sox fan, want to get their hands on those tickets?

[NorthSideSox72]

The $20-$25 price point would sound like something I'd jump at.

 

I do have to wonder...how would you go about getting these tickets into the hands of the kind of rowdy die-hards you probably want there?

 

If there's a significant discount on that section, wouldn't everyone purchasing tickets, whether they're a Twins fan or a Sox fan, want to get their hands on those tickets?

I was wondering that too.

 

But you could list them as a seperate section, with disclaimers like what you see for obstructed view (but instead it would say "beware, people in this section will be standing, yelling, etc."). You could also do a membership, like pay $10 for a card (like the Pride Club) to be eligible for the seats, so they wouldn't sell as normal seats through like Stub Hub and the like. So there are ways to handle that.

 

Marketing is key, though. Make sure everyone knows what Section 108 is and isn't.

 

[Night Train Veeck]

Well, rest assured, this is ONLY going to Sox fans It is a really significant discount on some pretty good lower level seats. normally these are $39.00, so it's a considerable amount off. This deal is only for Sox Supporters, and not open to mass public consumption.

 

It won't be any more than that, and I am trying to get as close to $20 as possible. As for getting the tickets in hands, I can handle that part of the pie, and I am also working on setting up a group portal link for people to click on to purchase them. That will be distributed only to Sox Supporters and people interested.

 

 

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Well, rest assured, this is ONLY going to Sox fans It is a really significant discount on some pretty good lower level seats. normally these are $39.00, so it's a considerable amount off. This deal is only for Sox Supporters, and not open to mass public consumption.

 

It won't be any more than that, and I am trying to get as close to $20 as possible. As for getting the tickets in hands, I can handle that part of the pie, and I am also working on setting up a group portal link for people to click on to purchase them. That will be distributed only to Sox Supporters and people interested.

Ah, that's what I figured - a "club" of sorts gets direct access, not through the normal channels. Still won't be perfect, but it should get you close.

 

 

[Night Train Veeck]

A Club membership is a PHENOMENAL idea, and I think that may be what were are going to aim to do for next year. I am going to try and really get this thing going, and prepare in the off season, so that when next season starts we are good to go, and can really get it off the ground. This will be a perfect game to test out interest, chants etc etc.

 

Keep em comin! I REALLY appreciate everyone's input!

Edited September 20, 2010 by Night Train Veeck

[knightni]

As long as the group's not called "Support Hose," I'd be into it.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Yeah, something like a Club Card would be a great way to keep it exclusive because you could have it set up where someone in your group needs to be a member and show a Club Card to get in the section. And maybe some nickname of the group would be cool as well like the "Soxaholics" or something. Something that you could even make T-shirts for that show off the fact that you are in this group.

[knightni]

You could have two sections, one on their side - like college sports,

 

The Chevy Pride Crew could do cheer leading during breaks and have signs, etc.

 

Have spirit competition - chants - One side has a GO sign, the other has SOX.

 

 

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

You could have two sections, one on their side - like college sports,

 

The Chevy Pride Crew could do cheer leading during breaks and have signs, etc.

 

Have spirit competition - chants - One side has a GO sign, the other has SOX.

 

Reminds of Wrigley's "left field sucks" and "right field sucks" thing. Yuckk.

[knightni]

Reminds of Wrigley's "left field sucks" and "right field sucks" thing. Yuckk.

THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT.

 

[Night Train Veeck]

We are definitely looking in to bringing back the "Sox Supporters" name. It keeps some tradition involved while unearthing something very cool. I think the group will also have its individual sects inside of it (Brigade Farnese, Young Irish etc...).

 

Thanks to the input, I am going to start creating a framework for a membership style aspect, and see how it fits in to things.

 

The pride crew is a great idea, and I have spoken to some people in game ops, and they would be available to help. The current Capo (leader) for Section 8 of the Chicago Fire, has agreed to come out with some of his boys (who are Sox fans as well) and help in passing some chants along that are Sox specific, and leading them as well. This way, the Section 8 guys can help pass along some of their techniques, and someone on our end can step up and start to make it our own.

 

Knightni: consider yourself in...no worries on the name

[Thad Bosley]

If I'm not mistaken, the "Sox Supporters" used to take their show on the road, too. Didn't they use to go to games in Milwaukee back in the day when the Brew Crew was in the American League?