Franchise Notes

Some of the “prime seating at Citizens Bank Park will be pricier next season.” Phillies season-ticket holders in sections 115-132 between first and third bases will pay $44 per game, an increase of $4. Sections 101-107 in rightfield and 140-148 in leftfield will jump $2 to $24. Phillies Dir of Sales John Weber said that infield seat prices “had not increased since the ballpark opened” in ’04. He added that “no other season-ticket prices would change, though individual-game prices in the affected areas are expected to increase, too.” The Phillies have not set ticket prices for individual games (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 11/9).

COME IN HOUSTON: The MLS Dynamo drew home crowds of 17,440 and 23,107 for two playoff games, just 560 fewer than DC United’s league-best playoff total. The Dynamo averaged 18,935 fans in 16 regular season home games, up 45% from the club’s average last year in San Jose. The team is also fourth in the league in merchandise sales. MLS Commissioner Don Garber: “We knew from the time the league was launched that Houston would be a great soccer city. The last year has proven that our expectations for the market is right on track” (USA TODAY, 11/9).

ACE UP THE SLEEVE: The ABA Orlando Orange Men have changed their name to the Aces after being “threatened with litigation by Syracuse University” (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 11/9).