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Phillies Non-sellout games are more fun

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If you were to tell me tell one year ago that I could get could Phillies ticket for under two bucks I would have laughed at you.  But this is the truth of the matter, there are thousands of tickets listed online for $2 (Stub Hub). The Phillies losing record is the obvious reason for cheap tickets. Just a few short weeks ago the sellout streak at Citizen Bank Park came to an end 257 games. At first it bothered me and I questioned the value of Phillies fans cause the past few years they were the hot team in town and everyone seemed like diehard. Getting a Phillies ticket was at times harder than getting an Eagles ticket.

Upon going to my first post-sellout Phillies game as a fan and not media it got me thinking. I felt like I was back in college. All needed in those days  was a token and a few bucks (to get into Veterans Stadium).  All the open seats took me back to summer nights of the 90s. It was all very fitting since Wednesday night was Retro 90s Night. The sounds and sights were all around, from music to attire. The Phillies even photo-shopped the faces of current players on to the bodies of 90s characters. It added extra value to the night for sure.

Even getting food was a breeze. The lines much were shorter and I able to get back to my seat with minimal contact. My navigation through the restroom was done with ease, which is always key.  I could just sit back and enjoy American’s past-time. The energy wasn’t the same though, I have been to louder libraries. The main difference between CBP now and the Vet is the type of fans. The current fans seem down at the beginning of the game, whereas the patrons of the Vet were hungry for a winner.  And if the Phillies did get a win at the Vet it was a bonus.

Now that Philly has tasted winning baseball and World Series title do the fans only expect perfection from the team? It is hard to deal with losing after so much success. This is where the debate comes in, were all these fans just warm weather fans and in it for the entertainment value. Anyone can enjoying winning baseball but cheering for them now makes you a true fan. If you have a friend that down on their luck would you turn on them?  The chances the Phillies make it to the post-season are zero, or maybe one in a million. That might get Lloyd Christmas excited but fans walking away send a message they only want to be there when things are the up. After five strong seasons the poser fans just gave up.

Will the Phillies rebound next? Only time will tell, but until then the true fans can enjoy there time and not pay an arm and a leg. This is the time families can take advantage of the super cheap deals. When September rolls around with less a chance to make a playoff run and kids back in school what the prices and situation look like. Will tickets go below a $1 on third party sites? I would say yes, but the food prices will remain the same. The no brainier would be to drop prices on food and drinks but no MLB team would do it mid season as this would be admitting failure. As for now the true fans will enjoy the game while the four-year bandwagon fans will try to find something to fill their void.