The Dodgers on Thursday began the sale of season-ticket packages for the '14 season, and "this time it is going to cost more to return to Dodger Stadium," according to Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. TIMES. The team said that more than 45,000 seats are "increasing by less than $3, but they are making it more costly for the premium tickets." Premium season parking "increases from $300 to $400 for the season," and front-row seats between the bases "go up by $30 (from $80 to $110), and rows 2 through 8 increase by $20 ($80 to $100)." The Dodgers essentially "created a new, elite section in the midst of existing stadium levels." Season-ticket prices start at $574 on the top deck and go "up to $9,020 for the front row in the field box." Those buying season tickets also will "have the right" for a limited time to purchase tickets for this year's NL divisional and championship series. Tickets on the loge level are "increasing by no more than $3, and tickets on the reserve level are increasing up to $2 a pop." Left-field pavilion tickets "increase by either $1 of $2, and the all-you-can-eat tickets in the right-field pavilion are up $2 per ticket" (L.A. TIMES, 9/13).
METRICS RISING: In California, Clay Fowler notes Dodger Stadium attendance totals "appear headed for the largest turnout for any major-league team" since the Yankees drew 3.77 million fans during the '10 season. The Dodgers currently "have the highest attendance in baseball, averaging 45,668 per game, nearly 4,000 more" than the second-place Cardinals (Inland Valley DAILY BULLETIN, 9/13). Also in California, Bill Plunkett notes the Dodgers additionally lead the league in attendance "on the road (an MLB-high average of 35,622)." The team's local ratings on FS Prime Ticket are up 42% over last season, the "second-highest increase in the majors" behind the Royals (up 71%) and are their "highest ever" on the RSN. Dodgers merchandise sales also are up 50% this season, "no doubt fueled mightily by the Yasiel Puig phenomenon" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/13).
