Red Sox are considering a regular "open house" day where 10,000-15,000 FREE tickets are put aside for children

soxhop411

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The game still counted in the standings, but the environment at the century-old ballpark on Thursday afternoon was unlike anything the Red Sox have seen before.

With dollar hot dogs, largely-reduced food prices and free tickets for children while adults could gain entry with just a $5 donation to the Jimmy Fund, Fenway Park was filled with people who might not otherwise get a chance to watch the most expensive team in baseball at one of the most expensive venues.

“It was one of the coolest atmospheres that we’ve had here,” said Brock Holt, who hit a walkoff single 12 minutes into the suspended game to capture a 5-4 win over the Royals. “Just how many people showed up and how excited they were. The music was loud pregame and everyone was dancing and seemed to be into the game.”
Watching all the children fill the park was such a success on Thursday that Red Sox president Sam Kennedy was feeling confident the club could one day soon introduce an “open house day,” when kids enter free for select games on a regular basis.

Could we have an open house day, where we put aside 10,000 to 15,000 tickets just for kids on an ongoing basis free of charge? The obvious answer is yes,” Kennedy said. “There’s a market for that. We need to challenge ourselves to see if that could be a possibility. We’ve talked about that. On lower demand games you might have an opportunity to do that. It really is an investment in the future.”
There were more than 16,000 folks who entered the gates (including upwards of 6,000 free tickets for children), leaving the 37,000-capacity park almost half-full with an open-seating arrangement providing a unique backdrop for players on the field.

“To me, the best crowd we had the whole year,” said third base coach Carlos Febles. “They were into the game. They were loud. That’s what you need. That’s one of the reasons the guys said, ‘Let’s do this and get out of here.’”
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/22/red-sox-considering-a-regular-open-house-day-with-free-entry-for-kids/
More at the link.

I applaud Sox ownership for trying to spearhead an initiative like this. Perhaps more teams can start to do something like this. We all know that of all the major sports baseball skews the oldest. Doing something like this can hopefully plant the seed in younger fans that can turn them into lifelong baseball fans that can carry this sport for another generation.
 

canderson

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I hope they do this.

For instance, several Broadway shows do complete matinees for NYC school kids. Introducing kids to cultural events they otherwise might not be able to attend is something we as a society should strive to do.
 

donutogre

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This sounds just great. It's sort of like the Futures at Fenway doubleheaders they did for a while. Getting to buy great seats for not a lot of cash and see a classic doubleheader was a ton of fun, and I imagine things like would also be good for getting kids into the game.

This is even better, because they can do it more frequently. Once a month is probably too much to imagine the Sox being willing to give up, but one can dream.
 

Captaincoop

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Do this several times a year. It would do so much to help continue the tradition of children growing up Red Sox fans in New England.

Seeing my own sons (and their classmates) drift away from baseball worries me from the standpoint of MLB's future. Mostly because 99% of my conversations with my father since the 1970s have been about baseball. I don't want to have to talk to my kids about real life when they grow up.
 

Orel Miraculous

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I went today, and it was one of the most fun atmospheres I've ever experienced at a big league ballpark. Absolutely everyone - including the staff - just seemed thrilled to be there. And the crowd really was into it, starting from the moment Vazquez trotted out to the bullpen.
 

donutogre

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bankshot1

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That would be a wonderful idea, as so many kids are probably priced out of the Fenway experience and only see them on TV. A Thursday afternoon get-away game a few times a year, as a lossleader to build the fan base for the future is smart business.
 

LogansDad

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This is such an awesome idea. I wish that I was moving back to the area to take advantage of it, as it's likely the only way I would ever be able to get my whole family into a game at Fenway. I would definitely take them out of school for Thursday getaways, as bankshot says.
 

Ale Xander

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I call BS on 10,000 adults being there today. I think they just printed the tickets and had employees scan them as if.

Also this (10-15k free tickets) would just increase the price to everyone else.

But it's a great idea, in sum, that I hope they can do once or twice a year on getaway days.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I call BS on 10,000 adults being there today. I think they just printed the tickets and had employees scan them as if.

Also this (10-15k free tickets) would just increase the price to everyone else.

But it's a great idea, in sum, that I hope they can do once or twice a year on getaway days.
Why would they lie about attendence and ticket sales?
 

YTF

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Do this several times a year. It would do so much to help continue the tradition of children growing up Red Sox fans in New England.

Seeing my own sons (and their classmates) drift away from baseball worries me from the standpoint of MLB's future. Mostly because 99% of my conversations with my father since the 1970s have been about baseball. I don't want to have to talk to my kids about real life when they grow up.

I was thinking this as well. Spread the wealth a bit. Perhaps 5,000 freebies three times a year or 2,500 4-6 times. Some family friendly concession pricing for these events would be great as well. My guess is they will do some of these during typically more difficult selling games. April or May for sure and a couple of traditionally lower demand opponents, but still a great idea to get kids and families coming in and if it's a couple of thousand seats that might have otherwise gone unsold it's a win for the Sox as well considering empty seat don't buy concessions or souvenirs.
 

YTF

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I call BS on 10,000 adults being there today. I think they just printed the tickets and had employees scan them as if.

Also this (10-15k free tickets) would just increase the price to everyone else.

But it's a great idea, in sum, that I hope they can do once or twice a year on getaway days.
Yeah because that wouldn't come back to bite them in the ass.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Historically there were free tickets for a game or two thru the BoSox Club, until a few (8?) years ago. That didn't help underserved communities, but it did get kids into the ballpark. There is also the Hoods Kid's Club, which I think provides a free or nearly so tickets to kid members
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I didn't have to read beyond the first paragraph to determine the article had nothing to do with your claim about the Sox and today's game. You still haven't identified how it is in their interest to do that.
 

Captaincoop

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Say the Sox pick two or three summer Wednesdays, maybe one each in June, July, August...and exclude those games from the season ticket package (obviously avoiding Yankee games, etc.).

Make those two or three games single-game only tickets, heavily discounted for kids.

Even if the team made nothing in ticket sales on those dates, it would still cost the organization less than what they pay their #4 starter most years. How could it not be worth what it would generate in great publicity and goodwill?

MLB is in huge trouble over the next decade if it doesn't start thinking outside the box. The Sox have something here.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I like that idea, coop. And opening the Park on non-game days for things like Running the bases and walking the warning track, like they've done on Fathers' Day (and maybe other times?) is something that should be a regular happening
 

Brohamer of the Gods

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Historically there were free tickets for a game or two thru the BoSox Club, until a few (8?) years ago. That didn't help underserved communities, but it did get kids into the ballpark. There is also the Hoods Kid's Club, which I think provides a free or nearly so tickets to kid members
Yup, you can still get free tickets for kids 15 and under through the kids club. Not every game is available, but the vast majority are. I was in second to last row of Sec. 30 two weeks ago, and at least two other families were near us on the same deal.
 

Humphrey

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They used to have Safety Patrol Day- I went when I was in the 6th grade, summer of 1962. It was a weekday game in June, there were between 5 and 10K kids there and no more than 5K of everyone else.

Guess what- ever hear of Al Luplow's famous catch? We got to see it. Not only that but the rf grandstand seats we had gave us a perfect angle to see Luplow grab Dick Williams' (yeah, that Dick Williams) and fall into the bullpen, just like another Indians' guy did a year or two ago.
 

Leather

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Even if you view this as purely a cynical business decision, it’s undoubtedly a long-term loss leader to get more interest in going to future games. There’s no reason to think this will result in higher ticket prices.

It’s not like the Sox are the impossible-to-get ticket they were 10 years ago.
 

Bowhemian

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I call BS on 10,000 adults being there today. I think they just printed the tickets and had employees scan them as if.

Also this (10-15k free tickets) would just increase the price to everyone else.

But it's a great idea, in sum, that I hope they can do once or twice a year on getaway days.
You always have such a positive outlook on things.
Seriously, look at the bright side once in a while.

Were you at Fenway today? How do you know how many people were/ were not there?
What basis do you have to say that they would raise prices for everyone else?

With all that said, I agree with your last sentence.
 

Harry Hooper

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That would be a wonderful idea, as so many kids are probably priced out of the Fenway experience and only see them on TV. A Thursday afternoon get-away game a few times a year, as a lossleader to build the fan base for the future is smart business.
Yes, the NESN ratings/ad revenues take a hit due to smaller viewing audience during the day, but could be a long-term win. IIRC, the Brewers have been doing kid-focused getaway day games for years.
 

stepson_and_toe

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The Orioles offer two free tickets, upper deck, for children nine and under accompanied by adults--regularly priced games, subject to availability.
 

edoug

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The Orioles offer two free tickets, upper deck, for children nine and under accompanied by adults--regularly priced games, subject to availability.
That's terrific, good for the Orioles. Not said very often lately but well deserved.
 

Brohamer of the Gods

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The other thing that helped bring in all of the kids yesterday wasn't just the free tickets for them, it was also the $5 tickets for the adults bringing them.

When I just took advantage of my two free kids club tickets the other week, it was still $200 for me, my wife and my 16 year old to get in the gate, forget about parking and food. They do have cheaper seats, but usually still in the $40s. I don't recall bleacher seats being offered, but they might sell out first for people really looking for the cheapest way in the door.
 

YTF

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They used to have Safety Patrol Day- I went when I was in the 6th grade, summer of 1962. It was a weekday game in June, there were between 5 and 10K kids there and no more than 5K of everyone else.

Guess what- ever hear of Al Luplow's famous catch? We got to see it. Not only that but the rf grandstand seats we had gave us a perfect angle to see Luplow grab Dick Williams' (yeah, that Dick Williams) and fall into the bullpen, just like another Indians' guy did a year or two ago.
This is how I attended my very first Red Sox game. It was either 1972 or '73 vs the Royals. My biggest memories were the three hour school bus ride filled with a bunch of amped up kids (it was by far the furthest I'd ever been from the Berkshires) the giant souvenir store (I'm not sure that it was Twin Enterprises at that time) and of course my very first glimpse of the field as the view widened walking from the concourse and through the tunnel leading to the grandstands. I think the number one item purchased by the group that day were those plastic, replica batting helmets which were well tested on the ride home given it was also mini bat day. There was just so much to soak in that day with the excitement of the trip that it don't remember many particulars from the game, but on that day I fell in love with Fenway Park.
 

Saints Rest

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Say the Sox pick two or three summer Wednesdays, maybe one each in June, July, August...and exclude those games from the season ticket package (obviously avoiding Yankee games, etc.).

Make those two or three games single-game only tickets, heavily discounted for kids.

Even if the team made nothing in ticket sales on those dates, it would still cost the organization less than what they pay their #4 starter most years. How could it not be worth what it would generate in great publicity and goodwill?

MLB is in huge trouble over the next decade if it doesn't start thinking outside the box. The Sox have something here.
I wonder if the Sox could offer an option for season ticket holders to "donate" their tickets for 1, 2, or 3 games over the course of the season, either on specific dates, as Captaincoop suggests, or on random dates, where those tickets would then be given to under-privileged kids. Let the season-ticket holders take the tax write-off while the Sox benefit thru excited new fans, out-reach, and community goodwill.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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The Red Sox do offer the opportunity to donate your tickets to the Red Sox Foundation who either turn them around to local youth groups or make them available for auction to raise funds for their services. Always an option if you can't use your tickets, but admittedly not one that is advertised.
 

Blue Monkey

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I wonder if the Sox could offer an option for season ticket holders to "donate" their tickets for 1, 2, or 3 games over the course of the season, either on specific dates, as Captaincoop suggests, or on random dates, where those tickets would then be given to under-privileged kids. Let the season-ticket holders take the tax write-off while the Sox benefit thru excited new fans, out-reach, and community goodwill.
They already have this option which is available for all games.
 

OCST

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I call BS on 10,000 adults being there today. I think they just printed the tickets and had employees scan them as if.

Also this (10-15k free tickets) would just increase the price to everyone else.

But it's a great idea, in sum, that I hope they can do once or twice a year on getaway days.
Even in a bumper crop you need to save some seed corn.

The team makes fistfuls of cash. Foregoing max profit for a few games to reach a new audience is savvy planning. It’s great PR. And to hear everyone tell it, it was exciting.

Tuesday night games against the Royals suck. Delighted to devote a few such to this.
 

Rovin Romine

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Even in a bumper crop you need to save some seed corn.

The team makes fistfuls of cash. Foregoing max profit for a few games to reach a new audience is savvy planning. It’s great PR. And to hear everyone tell it, it was exciting.

Tuesday night games against the Royals suck. Delighted to devote a few such to this.
I agree with all of this - the PR/potential-lifetime-fan value of tickets is probably worth more than the seat revenue they're giving up. Plus they'd be be seeding these kids in and amongst their classmates and social circles.

Part of the equation should be factoring in the summer months when school is out. The other part should be getting them into the hands of poorer NE communities.
 

BoSoxLady

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Historically there were free tickets for a game or two thru the BoSox Club, until a few (8?) years ago. That didn't help underserved communities, but it did get kids into the ballpark. There is also the Hoods Kid's Club, which I think provides a free or nearly so tickets to kid members
There’a still an annual Bosox Club Family Night that’s full of kids. The Red Sox arrange for three players to individually do a Q and A session on top of their dugout. They also get to watch BP and be the only folks in the park until the gates open. It’s by far the most popular event.
 

Max Power

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Scheduling something like this is better than relying on ticket donations or something else that requires someone to give up their tickets. The donation route would guarantee the game was some frigid April night when the kids are in school.

I'd like to see a game taken out of the season ticket schedule and played on a weekday afternoon in July or August. Tickets would be super cheap, but you can't get in without a kid.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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There’a still an annual Bosox Club Family Night that’s full of kids. The Red Sox arrange for three players to individually do a Q and A session on top of their dugout. They also get to watch BP and be the only folks in the park until the gates open. It’s by far the most popular event.
Good to know. My old BoSox Club connection skipped town on me.
 

Brohamer of the Gods

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Well thanks to my 7 year old being in the Paw Sox kids club I am currently in the Paw Sox dugout waiting to watch batting practice from the field.
 

biollante

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The Sox need more day games, cheaper ticket prices and cheaper food and beer for a certain subset of games. They are losing a generation and it ain't coming back. I was lucky that I could afford bringing my kids to games. Now that they are young adults, they don't bother going due to the prices.