The Devil Rays yesterday unveiled a ticket program
"that provides for significantly discounted tickets" five
days a week, according to Marc Topkin of the ST. PETERSBURG
TIMES. The program will include: Half-Price Mondays, for
which outfield and upper general admission seats are half-
price; Tampa Tuesdays, for which $8 general admission
tickets are available for $3 with a newspaper coupon; Web
site Wednesday, for which different specials will be posted
on the team Web page; The St. Petersburg Times TGIF at the
Trop (Tropicana Field) Friday, for which $10 tickets will be
available in the Beach section along with two soft drinks or
beers for $10 with a newspaper column; and St. Petersburg
Times Family Funday Sundays, for which fans can get a lower-
deck outfield seat, hot dog and Pepsi for $12 or an upper
deck general admission seat, hot dog and Pepsi for $7.
Devil Rays VP/Sales & Marketing John Browne: "We're just
trying to provide as many affordable options so people will
come see what we're doing, and we're confident they will
enjoy themselves" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/18).
MARLINS: In FL, Joe Capozzi writes that the Marlins
launched their new marketing campaign, aimed at "introducing
players to the community and acknowledging the team's status
as one of the worst in baseball" (see THE DAILY, 2/7).
Marlins Owner John Henry, on the team's status: "I don't
think you can ignore what the situation is. I think you
address the situation." Capozzi adds that the "Every Day.
Every Game. All Heart." campaign, which includes "at least
$500,000 in slick" TV commercials, is believed to be
"unprecedented" because the Marlins are entering only their
eighth year. Marlins CF Preston Wilson, during one spot
being shown in Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties:
"Marlins fans live in the past ... and they don't know me.
I'm Preston. I'm number 44. You want heart? You got it."
Capozzi writes that fans "better" come back if Henry hopes
to succeed in his plan to build a $400M ballpark in downtown
Miami. As of last Friday, the number of season-ticket
holders was down from last year's 9,100, but team officials
"won't say how much of a decline," though the "drop-off is a
continuation of a trend" (PALM BEACH POST, 2/18).
ANGELS: In L.A., Bill Shaikin wrote that the Angels
raised prices for field-level seats from $19 to $20,
terrace-level seats from $17.50 to $18.50 and the best
upper-deck (view-level) seats from $13 to $14, but the rest
of the seats in that section remained at $11 and $10.
Bleacher seats will remain at $8 and $6 for adults and $5.50
and $3 for children. Anaheim Sports President Tony Tavares
"confirmed" last week that 20-25% of fans have not renewed
season tickets (L.A. TIMES, 2/17).