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People like free stuff, even if the free stuff costs money. Proof lies inside of Petco Park on what had become the rare giveaway, everything from beach towels to pet scarves to tee-shirts to bobble-head dolls.
During such giveaways, the ball park is usually packed. The Padres organization had gotten away from that in recent years, tailing off slowly, to the point where there were less than a dozen such special game days. Apparently, that’s changing.
There are going to be more trinkets offered on certain evenings at Padres games, starting soon. Folks seem to flock to the games for them, and apparently the new ownership group of the Padres headed by Ron Fowler is paying attention.
“The fans asked and we listened,” said Fowler according to a press release. “Providing more, unique giveaway items and promotional events is our way of showing Padres fans that their feedback and their support matter to us. We appreciate them, our players appreciate them, and we’re excited to spend our summer together at Petco Park.”
It’s worth noting that 2013 average paid attendance per game is down almost 1,000 from the 2012 season. And the 2012 season was statistically far worse than the current one.
So perhaps, Ron is combining good business sense with an opportunity to attempt some goodwill with a perennially frustrated fan base in terms of the performance of the ball team. It is also worth noting that none of the additional giveaways have sponsors attached to them as the press release currently reads.
KidsFest will begin on Sunday, July 14th, and will continue every Sunday through the remainder of the season. At the Park in the Park there will be a Fun Zone complete with “bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, and more kid-friendly activities” so your munchkins can wear themselves out while you grab a beer and take in a game.
Starting Tuesday, July 9th, Taco Tuesdays will commence. No idea about the tacos there ($1 each), but you can also get a Park pass for $5. (Note to Ron: This could be enhanced by hiring some good Tijuana taco vendors, you haven’t lived until you’ve consumed a few tacos de birria off of a cart.)
Here’s the list of the enhanced giveaways, with helpful comments for Ron and Company:
Friday, July 12th, Padres Fedora. I like this one. And the press box could use some, to, you know, help to promote the Padres (big hint, Ron).
Saturday, July 13th, Padres Smartphone Cover. I’m entirely unsure what this is, since I have a dumbphone. Mine can’t do anything other than make and take calls. But the cover is free, so it has to be awesome!
Friday, August 17th, SD Flip Flops. Love this one as well, except media are no longer allowed to wear go-aheads in the press box. Which is unfair. This is San Diego, not Chicago. (Still, Ron, delivering a few in the press box accidentally would be, you know, fortunate).
Friday, August 23rd, Padres Reusable Grocery Bags. Um. Ron, you’re stretching it with this one. Use the term tote bag. It’s more dignified.
Monday, September 2nd, $1 Hot Dogs. Now we’re talking. With mustard, onions, and jalapeños, all of which are available condiments at Petco Park.
Saturday, September 7th, Padres Luchador Mask. Is Alfredo Harp Helú behind this, the Mexican businessman and philanthropist and cousin of the famous Carlos Slim? Well, hey, you own 10% of the team and you certainly deserve some input.
Friday, September 20th, Padres BBQ Set. This is also on Hispanic Heritage Night, which begs the question, doesn’t the Luchador Mask belong here? Otherwise, I’m all over a free spatula with the long fork thingy and maybe something to poke the charcoal with. If this comes with an apron, I’m all in (again, hint-hint Ron, some of these should magically appear in the press box).
Saturday, September 21st, Padres/Xolos Soccer Scarf. Nothing says “soccer” like a scarf, especially when the team mascot is an overgrown Chihuahua called a Xoloitzcuintle. Better idea: Xolos sports socks. Soccer players don’t wear scarves. At least, not in Mexico.
This can’t lose for the Padres, by the way. Some of these giveaways are pretty neat ideas. And if you ever, say, have aspirations to become, say, a participant in lucha libre or can’t keep from dinging up your smartphone, then Ron Fowler is speaking your language. For myself, I could use a new pair of flip-flops and I imagine a fedora would look swell on me, and once I plunk down some cash for a barbeque, then some utensils would come in quite handy.
People like free stuff, even if the free stuff costs money. Proof lies inside of Petco Park on what had become the rare giveaway, everything from beach towels to pet scarves to tee-shirts to bobble-head dolls.
During such giveaways, the ball park is usually packed. The Padres organization had gotten away from that in recent years, tailing off slowly, to the point where there were less than a dozen such special game days. Apparently, that’s changing.
There are going to be more trinkets offered on certain evenings at Padres games, starting soon. Folks seem to flock to the games for them, and apparently the new ownership group of the Padres headed by Ron Fowler is paying attention.
“The fans asked and we listened,” said Fowler according to a press release. “Providing more, unique giveaway items and promotional events is our way of showing Padres fans that their feedback and their support matter to us. We appreciate them, our players appreciate them, and we’re excited to spend our summer together at Petco Park.”
It’s worth noting that 2013 average paid attendance per game is down almost 1,000 from the 2012 season. And the 2012 season was statistically far worse than the current one.
So perhaps, Ron is combining good business sense with an opportunity to attempt some goodwill with a perennially frustrated fan base in terms of the performance of the ball team. It is also worth noting that none of the additional giveaways have sponsors attached to them as the press release currently reads.
KidsFest will begin on Sunday, July 14th, and will continue every Sunday through the remainder of the season. At the Park in the Park there will be a Fun Zone complete with “bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, and more kid-friendly activities” so your munchkins can wear themselves out while you grab a beer and take in a game.
Starting Tuesday, July 9th, Taco Tuesdays will commence. No idea about the tacos there ($1 each), but you can also get a Park pass for $5. (Note to Ron: This could be enhanced by hiring some good Tijuana taco vendors, you haven’t lived until you’ve consumed a few tacos de birria off of a cart.)
Here’s the list of the enhanced giveaways, with helpful comments for Ron and Company:
Friday, July 12th, Padres Fedora. I like this one. And the press box could use some, to, you know, help to promote the Padres (big hint, Ron).
Saturday, July 13th, Padres Smartphone Cover. I’m entirely unsure what this is, since I have a dumbphone. Mine can’t do anything other than make and take calls. But the cover is free, so it has to be awesome!
Friday, August 17th, SD Flip Flops. Love this one as well, except media are no longer allowed to wear go-aheads in the press box. Which is unfair. This is San Diego, not Chicago. (Still, Ron, delivering a few in the press box accidentally would be, you know, fortunate).
Friday, August 23rd, Padres Reusable Grocery Bags. Um. Ron, you’re stretching it with this one. Use the term tote bag. It’s more dignified.
Monday, September 2nd, $1 Hot Dogs. Now we’re talking. With mustard, onions, and jalapeños, all of which are available condiments at Petco Park.
Saturday, September 7th, Padres Luchador Mask. Is Alfredo Harp Helú behind this, the Mexican businessman and philanthropist and cousin of the famous Carlos Slim? Well, hey, you own 10% of the team and you certainly deserve some input.
Friday, September 20th, Padres BBQ Set. This is also on Hispanic Heritage Night, which begs the question, doesn’t the Luchador Mask belong here? Otherwise, I’m all over a free spatula with the long fork thingy and maybe something to poke the charcoal with. If this comes with an apron, I’m all in (again, hint-hint Ron, some of these should magically appear in the press box).
Saturday, September 21st, Padres/Xolos Soccer Scarf. Nothing says “soccer” like a scarf, especially when the team mascot is an overgrown Chihuahua called a Xoloitzcuintle. Better idea: Xolos sports socks. Soccer players don’t wear scarves. At least, not in Mexico.
This can’t lose for the Padres, by the way. Some of these giveaways are pretty neat ideas. And if you ever, say, have aspirations to become, say, a participant in lucha libre or can’t keep from dinging up your smartphone, then Ron Fowler is speaking your language. For myself, I could use a new pair of flip-flops and I imagine a fedora would look swell on me, and once I plunk down some cash for a barbeque, then some utensils would come in quite handy.