National League Notes: Marlins Launch Ticket Relief Programs

Marlins Have Launched Five Economic Ticket Relief Programs For Fans This Season

The Marlins have launched five economic ticket relief programs for this season, including awarding a fan with a check for up to $2,500 toward his or her monthly housing payment at 11 different Saturday home games. Also, unemployed South Florida residents can receive up to four free tickets to a home game at Dolphin Stadium on select Mondays. Vehicles carrying four or more fans will receive a $25 voucher toward future Marlins tickets, while military personnel can attend Sunday games for free. In addition, the Marlins have teamed with WAXY-AM to offer Infield Box tickets for $7.90 for select Wednesday games (Marlins).

PLAYOFF PAYOFF: As last year's World Series winner, the Phillies split a pool of $18,417,357.91. The team awarded 45 full shares at $351,504.48 apiece. A full share for the runner-up Rays is $233,390.05. The players' pool is derived from 60% of gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series and the first four games of the League Championship Series and the World Series. The total pool is divided among the eight playoff teams and the four teams that finished the regular season in second place in their division but did not make the playoffs (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/30). Meanwhile, ESPN’s Karl Ravech said, “Who would have thought that by winning the World Series last year the Phillies put themselves in such a good position this year, because they have a lot more seats that have been sold so far” (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 3/29).

PIRATES' BOUNTY: Pirates Owner Bob Nutting said the team's season-ticket renewal rate is "slightly higher than it was last year," and added the sales of new season-ticket plans are "doing extremely well." However, the Pirates this offseason lost their annual sponsorship with Chevy, and Nutting said, "We need to make up for the big sponsors (lost) with a number of smaller ones." Nutting this week is attending Pirates Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida, with a group of the team's corporate sponsors (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 3/29).