First I need to acknowledge Grandson Mitchell. I forgot about his football exploits last Saturday. He wears No.36 and he plays tight end and running back. Saturday he caught a long pass but was caught on the ten yard line short of a touchdown. His team subsequently scored. The chant from the other team from that point on was "watch No.36". Obviously he scared them with his pass catching skills.
Last night (Thursday), Grandson Dominic played in a driving rain against a very good opponent. I errored by referring to his wearing No.75. That is his practice jersey. On game day he wears No. 58 and plays center. In his uniform complete with white helmet, Dominic looks like a football player. He fills out the football garb. By the way, his team won 12-6 despite the inclimate weather. He knocked a couple of opponents on their ass and his tackling was superb.
Now quickly to Joe Schmuck. The Milwaukee Brewers might make the playoffs for the first time since 1982. If they do, fans everywhere will want to see "home" playoff games. First priority goes to season ticket holders and 20-game ticket packages. 93% of the preferred ticket holders purchased playoff tickets. Now three options have been offered beyond 2008 season ticket holders. You can purchase full season tickets for next year and you will be guaranteed playoff tickets up to a limit of 8 if you deposit $1500 per seat (non-refundable). Or you can purchase a 40 game package for next year up to a limit of four seats for a non-refundable $1000 deposit per seat. Lastly, a 20 game package for next year gets you the division series and one championship game up to 4 seats. Cost is $400 per seat and again is non-refundable.
My observation is that there won't be any seats left for Joe Schmuck. You know, the average guy that takes his family to one or two games, drinks beer and eats their $5 hot dogs. What the professional sports teams are doing is screening out the average guy. I know that baseball is a business and it's purpose is to provide entertainment but it is slowly evolving into entertainment for the rich.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that the professional and college sports arena is evolving into a party for the elete. I guess if I owned a sports franchise, I'd leverage it for maximum profit too. What is lost is a sense fo fairness. What about the other loyal supporters that have accounted for close to 30 consecutive sellouts? Somehow I think we are all getting Schmucked.
Love,
Dad