The Reds "are making paperless tickets an option for season ticket holders for the first time" next season, according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. The team is "promoting it as an option to the vast majority of season ticket holders." Those fans "can still opt for printed paper tickets without any additional charge." For a small portion of season-ticket holders -- about 2% -- the team is "charging a $100 fee if they want paper tickets." The Reds "notified those season ticket holders through a letter in September that they would be charged for paper tickets" in the '16 season. Digital tickets "will be available through the Ballpark app that MLB.com rolled out" during the '15 season. Reds VP/Ticketing & Business Development Aaron Eisel said, “We’re not mandating this. People are still getting their tickets. It’s an option to improve our level of service.” Watkins noted the shift is "part of an emerging trend." Six MLB teams -- the Royals, White Sox, Dodgers, Marlins, Blue Jays and Nationals -- "will be all-digital for season ticket holders" in '16. Thirteen other teams, including the Reds, "are making digital tickets an option" for season-ticket holders. The Reds "chose to charge for paper tickets only for the small number of fans who transfer many tickets because those fans don’t use the paper tickets anyway" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/9).
WELCOMING COMMITTEE: In Cincinnati, C. Trent Rosecrans notes the handshakes and back pats "came fast and furious" yesterday for new Reds Senior VP & GM Dick Williams during the first day of the MLB GM Meetings. Execs, agents and media members "all congratulated Williams on his new position." Team President of Baseball Operations Walt Jocketty and Williams "will be working together this year, with Jocketty still having the last word before Williams takes over completely" following the '16 season. Although it is "not a complete transition, it’s a transition nonetheless, something that is not uncommon around baseball this season." Jocketty has repeatedly said that the Reds "will have a busy offseason, but it’s unlikely the team will be signing free agents at this point." Instead, it is more of a question about "just who the team will trade" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/10).
