Twins travel to Turner Field; Dynamic Pricing

Wow, it has been 20 days since I last put text to screen.  Lots has happened in regards to the Twins and their final preparations for the season opener on April 1.

The Twins announce their Opening Day 25-man roster, which can change with any injuries, etc.

Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, Joe Nathan, Matt Capps, Jose Mijares, Dusty Hughes, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Jeff Manship, Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Alexi Casilla, Danny Valencia, Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Delmon Young, Jason Repko, Drew Butera, Matt Tolbert

The Twins will complete their spring with two exhibition games against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field 6:05pm tonight on the MLBN and 11:05am Wednesday on FS-N.


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The real reason that got me going tonight and wanting to post was the information release I saw about "Demand Based Pricing " or essentially dynamic pricing.   Please note that this is going to be a controversial topic and it is going to be opinionated.  Hence, I guess a blog :)

DBP put simply, is the Twins way of capturing additional revenue they would lose otherwise to the potential secondary market.  The Twins will have Digonex's Sports and Entertainment Analytical Ticketing System (SEATS™) run algorithms to determine what the value of a particular seat should be based on "demand."

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The Twins are starting DBP in two of their sections Home Plate Box and Home Plate View.



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As long as demand is high, the Twins can fluctuate the "face value" of a ticket and charge you more based on this demand.  Likewise, when demand is low, you can find a better price, however, as long as the Twins are winning and demand is high, expect to pay more than what you are already paying.  No need to find a scalper with availability, the Twins will be able to sell you an available ticket at essentially secondary market pricing.

As a business model, this is wonderful.  The Twins are going to capture more revenue, however, what happened to the model of bringing the family out to the ballpark?

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For instance, let's say you are wanting to go to the NYY game on August 20.  The Twins already know that demand for this series is going to be high.  Let's say you want to buy a pair of incredible seats for that special occassion and you want to splurge on the seats.  Also, you want to surprise grandma with a pair of tickets, but do not want to break the bank either.

So, it is now March and tickets are about to go on sale, woohoo!!  You are looking to buy (2) Home Plate Box (HPB) seats with a normal face value of $65/ticket and (2) Home Plate View (HPV) seats with a normal face value of $28/ticket.  However, since SEATS has run an algorithm and shows that demand is high, the Twins can raise the fee of both sets of seats to what they feel is "demand" pricing.

Now, those HPB for that special occasion with an original face value of $65 are now $90/ticket and HPV for grandma are now $40/ticket.   As the tickets are in your "shopping cart" you start to have 100's of thoughts going through your mind.  Do you buy now while demand is high, or wait until demand is low?? What if there are no tickets left when you finally decide to go ahead?  What happens if you go to search again, will the Twins system shut you out????  OH, THE MEMORIES!!!  But they're in your shopping cart, they're at your finger tips, just put in your damn credit card information and stop thinking!!!!

Okay, you finally decide to purchase both sets of tickets and your total for the DBP is $260 + $20 in service fees for $280.00 total.  You are feeling good about securing those tickets to that "high demand" game and you are looking forward to "surprise" the spouse and grandma.

However, a moment later, you realize you spent $280 for tickets priced in your pocket calendar from the Twins Pro Shop showing a price of $186 +$20 service fee for $206.  Without thinking fully at the time of purchase, you spent an extra $74.   You may be feeling a little sick about this at the time, but you are somehow grateful that you secured these tickets and did not have to find a "scalper" later, right?


Heck, great move!  Warm weather is upon us and the tickets for the game is sold out by the Twins.  Scalpers are charging $110 for the HPB tickets and $55 for the HPV tickets you purchased 5 months ago.  By buying early, you saved $50!!  Now you can use that $50 "savings" (minus any interest you could have made on that $280 you spent 5 months ago, well I guess that would be $.56 in today's market) and use that toward some $8 beers at the game, and maybe a Field Dog or two.  Please remember, instead of paying the scalpers $124 over original face, you are paying the Twins $74 over original face.

However, here is the "real story," as it never seems to work out the way you want it to.  As game day is approaching, August 20 is forecast as mid-60's with high overcast and a strong potential for rain.  The Twins still have some inventory, as demand has dwindled, as the Yankees are no longer the dominating force in the East and the Orioles have taken control.  With demand low and no one wanting to go to that once March projected high demand game, the Twins are forced to drop ticket prices to get butts in the seat for that game.


The tickets in the HPB to where you paid $90/ticket has dropped to $35/ticket and the HPV seats that you paid $40/ticket has dropped to an all-time low of $22.   What an incredible deal, right?  I mean, you paid $280 in March and now I can basically walk up to the Twins Box Office and get comparable seats for a $114 + $0 Service fees because I am going in-person and avoid those charges!

So, let me get this right, you paid $280 back in March because the Twins algorithm convinced you that was what the tickets would be worth?  Well, the game is 3 days away and I am only paying $114 (40.7%) of what you paid for the same game, 5 months ago.  Boy, I am glad I waited and will see an okay game in bad weather, but I will make sure I flaunt this great deal to every Twins fan at the game, while I get peanuts chucked at me.

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As a Season Ticket Holder (STH) to 2 sets of seats, this is bad for us.  I do not purchase tickets to get rich and sell on the secondary market, however, I would be lying to you if I said I have not done this before.

However, I first try to sell to friends at face value (less than you would pay the Twins and there $10+ service fees). I have tickets to ensure that I get to see a few games each year that are more attractive and ensure that I have a similar location to where I am comfortable and know people around me.

However, on those dates to where I know I will be unable to go due other obligations and if those dates happen to be a cold day in April/September, I am left with 2 tickets that I paid $90 for, while the Twins can DBP there tickets for $30/ticket.

I am then, as a committed STH, out tickets that I can barely give-away, as the Twins can sell these same tickets at 33% off of what I paid back in October.  I would be better off donating to charity and getting a tax write-off.


Let me be clear, the scenario of the "big savings" on an inclement weather game sounds great, however, who really wants to go out and watch a Twins game in the cold-wet-rain?  I mean, heck, people "scored" a great "deal," but I would much rather be sipping Coca-colas in the comfort of my own home knowing I really "saved" my time and money.

I am just awaiting the Minnesota Twins spin machine to start in the media with none other than Dave St. Peter.


Feel free to share your opinion in the comments section, as this topic is something I am really opinionated about and would love to discuss!

   

Back in the rotation

After 5 days of rest, I figured it was my turn in the rotation to get back on the hill.

I have realized that blogging takes a lot of work and there are several stories during ST, but non really seem to matter or interest me :)  And by the time I start writing, most of my current readership have probably already seen the story.  I guess my real intent here is to try and consolidate the stories and give a brief glimpse of what is happening, so that if you find something of interest, you can go elsewhere to get the story.  It is also difficult to have good information when much of what I am getting is coming from other sources, as I am not able to be in Fort Myers.

Well, as you have likely seen on other sites, Morneau appeared in his first action since injuring himself on July 7th in Toronto.  Morneau played 4 innings in a "B" squad game this morning, going 1 for 2, with a bases clearing double.  Morneau faced Brad Lincoln, who is a 2006 first round draft for the Pirates, who started 9 games last year, going 1-4 with a 6.66ERA.  Not a shining star by any means, but definitely not batting practice either.

Going into this game, I was concerned that Morneau would have to play very cautiously, but he did stretch out a double, and did slide into home (a play at the plate was not made).

Looks like Morneau may see action with the regular squad on Thursday, and it is against no other than...the Blue Jays. 

The Twins regular was in action against the Pirates and lost their second game in a row, after their five game winning streak.  The Twins (6-4) and Pirates (6-6) were knotted up 2-2 going into the 9th, however, Jeff Manship (0-1; 9.00ERA) gave up 3 runs on 4 hits to record the loss.

The bright points of today's match-up saw Carl Pavano to pitch shut-out baseball, going 4 scoreless innings.  Pavano gave up 2 hits and 1 walk, recording 2 strikeouts.   It is really nice to see Pavano pitching well and seeing strong defense play behind him.

Back-up catcher Daniel Rams (#79) went 2-for-2 with 2 doubles, seeing action in his 5th game this spring.  Rams only saw action in 4 games last spring going (1-for-7).

Relief pitcher Kyle Waldrop (0.00 ERA) saw his 3rd relief appearance, entering the game in the 8th inning.  Waldrop continued to throw strikes, striking out 1 and facing the minimum.

The Twins were 1 for 12 with Runners In Scoring Position,  something the Twins have been known for clutch hitting in recent years, so hopefully this number is left behind in Spring Training.


Pat Neshek entered the 7th inning (4th game this spring) giving up a solo home run to Lyle Overbay, along with giving up a walk and recording strikeout.

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Have you checked out the recent Minnesota Twins Twitpic?

Such a beautiful sight!   If you look closely, you can almost see them starting to tap the kegs in the Twins Pub.

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Nishi has probably seen his last action at short and will likely be positioned at 2nd base.  It is still early, but it appears that he will be seeing action only at second.

Went to Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud tonight.  Scheels and another store in the mall now have the Nishioka t-shirts, however, no jersey sighting yet.  I spoke to a manager and they are expecting them to be in shortly, as they are getting shipments in daily.  I am likely going to the Twins Majestic store at Target Field this weekend to see what they have available.

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Anyone going down to Spring Training and will be there on March 19?  Well, this is the date that the MLB Network will be filming the Twins for the MLB Network's "30 in 30."  The Twins will be featured at 9pm CT on March 20.  If you do not have the MLB Network, segments of the show will be posted online on March 21.  Once the video has been posted, I will link it here.

Brief (3/2) Recap and Twins Promotional Schedule

The Twins traveled to the Pittsburgh Pirates facility (McKechnie Field) today to where the Twins won a nice 4-2 ballgame.  

Twins pitcher Brian Duensing made his first spring outing and had an impressive 2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two.  Speculations have all been but confirmed by Twins Skipper Ron Gardenhire about Duensing being in the starting rotation this spring.  However, reports have been made that subtle hints have been given by Gardy that Duensing will be in the starting rotation this April.  In Duensing’s first outing, he proved why this is looking like a strong possibility.

Danny Valencia was back in the line-up today and continued to swing the bat well, going 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.  Valencia has started the ST going 4 for 7.  It is only spring, but it is nice to see that Valencia is continuing to see the ball well through the first few games.

Luke Hughes hit his second homerun for this early spring.  It will be nice to see this continue as Hughes has gone 4-for-8 in his first 3 games this spring.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka did not play today, as it was another road game.   However, it appears that Nishi will be traveling with the team to Sarasota, FL where the Twins will battle the Orioles.  Nishi is expected to get the start at shortstop for the first time this spring, and Alexi Casillia will get the nod at second.

SIDE NOTE: I saw my first Nishi Twins t-shirt jersey yesterday.  Hopefully soon we can buy an authentic jersey!

Twins Promotional Schedule

If you have not been to the Minnesota Twins website in a few days, the Twins have posted their promotions schedule: Click Here  

 

You will see your typical WeFest straw hat, kids bat day, youth jersey, DQ Cap Night #1/#2, and magnet calendar giveaways.  

The items I may be looking at this year, Matt Capps fishing Lure, Bert Blyleven Day (baseball),  Kent Hrbek/Ron Gant Bobblehead (’91 World Series pick-off-flub-out moment).

Are there any drivers out here?  Well, you can have your very own Pepsi Drivers Cap!  But hang on; if you happen to be a woman, you are out of luck.  Not sure why the Twins are doing such a venture?  The only thing I can think of is that last year they had the women only promotion for the Twins earrings on Mother’s Day.  Sorry women drivers, this cap is only for a man…

Justin Mor-yes?

I touched briefly about Morneau in my last post and thank you Jared for your insight and personal story about the concussion discussion.   It appears that Morneau had the appointment I alluded to in Pittsburgh and the same result of no clearance has been issued.  The Twins continue to remain optimistic about his return.   

However, after this latest appointment, mark me in the category as moving from optimistic to the pessimistic camp.  I am likely not going to blog much more about the controversy about Morneau’s condition or the Twins lack of information sharing, as you can all find that material elsewhere.  To be honest, I really do not see this as a story until his clearance is provided or until the Twins provide us a timeline.

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This is all I have for now.  I think my spouse (Renee) is starting to think that she has lost me for more than just during a Twins baseball game…

If You Blog It [They] Will Come

Welcome!  I am so glad that you have found my first attempt at blogging.  It is my hope to be able to utilize this format to share my thoughts, ideas, ramblings, happy and frustrated moments with my beloved Minnesota Twins.

First, I apologize to the armchair umpires amongst readers of this blog may be critiquing ("you didn't capitalize your blog title correctly) the writing style of this Class A blogger.  It is my hope to make it to Tripe A and possibly be a late September call-up blogger by seasons end.

I am going to make this a brief post, but I hope to make it at least somewhat informative or worth your time.

For starters (no pun intended), some may be wondering why I placed the [   ] around "they" in the title of this post.  It is actually one of the most misheard lines in the movie Field of Dreams.  The actual quote is, "If you build it, he will come."  However, to be inclusive, as I hope their to be women who enjoy this blog, I chose to insert the miss understood part.  I also obviously changed "build" to "blog." :)

As it sits right now, at 12:42am on March 1, there are 31 days, 16 hours, 18 minutes, 45 seconds to Opening Night (AND) 38 days, 13 hours, 15 minutes, and 13...12....11 seconds until the Minnesota Twins open their home baseball schedule against the Oakland Athletics at 3:10pm on April 8, 2011 at Target Field.


The Minnesota Twins are off to a 1-1 start for Spring Training in the Grape Fruit League and are going to be playing their 3rd game in a row this afternoon against the Boston Red Sox to start the ST schedule.

Let me be clear, I understand that ST is not a real indicator of the season or how the team will do, but it is nice to see the Twins already able to swing the bat well.

Joe Nathan, who spent all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to see his first action this spring.  I know of a couple people who will be excited to see that happen.  I am sure those 2 people I have in mind will be watching the 5pm, 6pm, 10pm news and possibly SportsCenter and MLB Network to catch of him in action.

The Twins are still remaining quiet in the recovery and anticipated return of Justin Morneau.  It appears that Morneau has an appointment out East in the next day or so to hopefully gain clearance to report to full baseball activity and rejoin the club early this spring.  I still have concerns about Morneau's return and his potential to be a productive member until he is able to go through normal activities without the "minor" pains he appears to be having.  The Twins are remaining quiet on the subject which gives me greater concern about whether he will see any action this spring.  I remain optimistic, but it's been since July 6.  Hopefully we have a Pierre-Marc Bouchard type of successful turnaround.

On Monday, the Twins left Tsuyoshi Nishioka in Fort Myers, as it appears that Gardenhire only wants Nishioka to play home games at Hammond Stadium.  Nishioka is expected to be back in the lineup this afternoon.  Nishioka impressed both offensively and defensively in his first game out, going 1 for 3, with an RBI and almost beating out a routine ground ball.  I am excited to see his speed this year, both on the base paths and up the middle of the infield.


I think this is where I will leave it for now.  It is my hope to start blogging regularly and giving my thoughts regarding the Minnesota Twins.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you and others around!