The "most interesting new initiative" the Indians have announced to improve fan experience this season will allow fans to "select promotional items in advance for a $5 fee in addition to their original ticket price," according to Glenn Moore of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Called the "Promo Pass," the new feature "relieves fans from waiting in line for hours before a game." Also new for '14 is Carnegie Tickets, which will "give fans flexibility and value." Fans will "make an initial investment into their Carnegie Tickets account, which they then can use to buy tickets over the course of the season, for any seating location, and any game, subject to availability." For making the "up-front commitment, fans will receive a bonus" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/27). In Akron, Dave Scott notes the Indians are "telling fans they can get tickets and associated goodies on the cheap -- if they act quickly." In past years, the "least expensive way to get tickets required a visit to a team store." That "ploy eliminated Ticketmaster fees." Those fees now are "folded into the price for a ticket, so going online is the strategy." Indians Assistant Dir of Communications Anne Keegan said, "The ticket you buy at Indians.com will be lower than the ticket you buy at the team shop downstairs or at the window." Scott notes the "basic theme of the Indians’ new ticket policy is to reward fans who buy early and online." The Indians will offer Kid Value Tickets, which "come with $15 in concessions (sorry, no beer), but they must be purchased 48 hours in advance and accompanied with the purchase of an adult ticket" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/27).
FAN BROMANCE: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps noted Indians fan Adam Gockowski yesterday was "sworn in as the first full-time Governor of Brohio" at Progressive Field. Gockowski was "chosen as the 'governor' of Section 117 at Tribe Fest last month" -- a role that will see him try to amp up that section of the crowd during Fridays and Saturday games. Indians 1B Nick Swisher "welcomed Gockowski to his position with a 30-second video message" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 2/26).
