Secondary market prices for tonight's MLB State Farm Home Run Derby and tomorrow's All-Star Game have fallen precipitously over the last two weeks, but remain far stronger than last year's event in Phoenix. According to N.Y.-based ticket aggregator TiqIQ, average listing prices for tonight's Home Run Derby are $337, down 30% from late last month. And, as of yesterday, average listings for tomorrow's All-Star Game are currently at $606 per ticket, down 35% in a similar time frame. But with less available inventory compared to last year and demand heightened due to a variety of factors, prices remain far higher than '11 when All-Star Game tickets were listed at less than $300 at a similar time before the game, and Home Run Derby tickets could easily be obtained below face value. Meanwhile, the Home Run Derby will again feature on-field tweeting and posting on Facebook from Derby participants and other All-Star players during the event. Introduced last year, the on-field tweeting and posting are part an overall league effort to heighten social media involvement during the All-Star Game events. As was the case at Chase Field, Kauffman Stadium will be outfitted with social media stations with laptops, tablets, cameras and personnel assistance. "Our research has shown over and over that fans want as much connection with their favorite players as possible. So we're trying to foster that deeper connection anywhere we can," said MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan.
THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT: Yesterday's SiriusXM Futures Game in K.C., featuring minor-league all-stars, drew a sellout crowd of 40,095 at Kauffman Stadium, believed to be a record for the 12-year-old event. The turnout builds meaningfully upon a draw of 37,012 at Chase Field a year ago. As little as two years ago, the game was by far the least attended of any All-Star event and rarely filled more than half of the host ballpark. The host Royals had three of their prospects in yesterday's game.
