Are the Brewers trying to be more fan friendly?

[Jake McKibbin]

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/new-features-at-american-family-field-in-2023

 

Here's the link in MLB, reduced concession prices I think is huge, I wasn't at a game last year (I'm a broke foreigner after all) but heard a lot of chat about this on the Tailgate podcast about an over focus on this whole "X Golf" while pricing people out of going

I like the idea of fireworks, and also that they seem to be making a real effort to get people bringing their kids to the park more which is huge. The sunday funday bundle looks really good value!

#But as I said, I'm curious what you guys think? Will it make a difference in regards to attendance? Should they maybe have released this news more than 3 days before tickets go on sale?

[MVP2110]

This sounds promising but I'll wait until I see the details

[Outlander]

It is unfortunate that Schlesinger indicated they received good grades on the quality of food because I think it is the wurst. The better sound will be nice and he is correct about the fireworks as my kids complained that was gone. I am intrigued by the new Barrel Yard in left field.

[kestrel79]

Really? High marks on quality? The brats and hot dogs have been terrible for the last 3-5 years imo. Very disappointing to get a brat, one of the state's signature sports foods and the bun is suctioned around the brat and mushy, or I've had it really dry too as well.

The tenders and tots has always been really good however I will give credit where credit is due. Best value in the park for food.

Had a Chicago Dog at Wrigley a few years ago and was shocked at how much better it was than a Brewers Brat.

[Brock Beauchamp]

1 hour ago, kestrel79 said:

Really? High marks on quality? The brats and hot dogs have been terrible for the last 3-5 years imo. Very disappointing to get a brat, one of the state's signature sports foods and the bun is suctioned around the brat and mushy, or I've had it really dry too as well.

The tenders and tots has always been really good however I will give credit where credit is due. Best value in the park for food.

Had a Chicago Dog at Wrigley a few years ago and was shocked at how much better it was than a Brewers Brat.

It feels very wrong that the brats at Target Field are better than they are at AmFam.

AmFam needs a Kramarczuk's. They're a highlight of the Target Field experience. Legitimately good sausages/polishes for a price that doesn't make you reel in horror.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Pour one out for the loss of $8 bottled water, for sure.

[MrTPlush]

1 hour ago, kestrel79 said:

 

Had a Chicago Dog at Wrigley a few years ago and was shocked at how much better it was than a Brewers Brat.

Both Chicago teams (last I knew) grill all their brats and hot dogs fresh. If the Brewers had one similar area I bet the line would stretch around the entire warning track.

Oh well, better to be lazy and cheap for profits. 

To answer the question, no, most of this isn't even new. A lot of it was dumped in recent years due to COVID and whatever other odd reasons they had. Glad to see they have realized how dumb they are and how much the gameday experience has been tanking. I mean, didn't know people like the fireworks? Does Rick and other FO people not have kids? Maybe they can save the SSH experience next.

[kestrel79]

I'm a little worried about the 4-1-Crew thing. Some of that stuff is pretty cringe and gimmicky for us salty hardcore baseball nerds...remember the Diamond Dancers? So what will this crew group due the Brew Crew already doesn't? Will be interesting to find out. Maybe it will be cool I'll wait and see.

[owbc]

Wait, are you telling me there's not a single spot in AmFam field where you can buy a freshly grilled sausage?

There can't be more than a handful of ballparks in MLB where that is the case. 

My main concession choice at T-Mobile Park in Seattle is a sausage right off the grill that they load up with kraut, peppers, and onions. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

3 minutes ago, owbc said:

My main concession choice at T-Mobile Park in Seattle is a sausage right off the grill that they load up with kraut, peppers, and onions. 

Yep, same at Target Field. The fact that the sausage state of America doesn't offer the same is a travesty.

[NeedMoreFans]

When the Mercedes Benz stadium opened in Atlanta, they went with a concession pricing model that was "fan friendly," which included $2 hot dogs and drinks, $5 beer, and overall affordable concessions.  I wonder how they have done in terms of revenue from reduced prices.  Personally, after forking out over $60 for a few hot dogs, sodas, a nacho and pretzel at a Badger women's basketball game, I am going to avoid buying concessions like the plague.  However, if concessions were cheaper, I would absolutely buy more at games in the future.  

I also think my attitude towards concessions has changed now that I have kids that I take to sporting events.  If it was just me going to a game, I'd be fine spending $10-12 on a couple of concession items, but now that cost is a lot higher overall (and kids always ask for more than what I would personally buy).  Cost is the #1 reason why I don't go to very many Brewer games anymore, and it's the main reason why I have not taken both of my kids to a game.  

[AKCheesehead]

I'm a little apprehensive about the sound system upgrades.  I already was annoyed at how loud the sound system was, it just absolutely blasts the sound at you.  Maybe I'm just getting old, but when I went to a game last summer I made a mental note to bring ear plugs to the next game I attend.

[Brock Beauchamp]

7 minutes ago, AKCheesehead said:

I'm a little apprehensive about the sound system upgrades.  I already was annoyed at how loud the sound system was, it just absolutely blasts the sound at you.  Maybe I'm just getting old, but when I went to a game last summer I made a mental note to bring ear plugs to the next game I attend.

I hope any improvements revolve around lower output per speaker but more speakers. That leads to much better distribution of sound without some fans having the unfortunate experience of sitting next to a stack and being blasted out of their seats by a wall of sound.

[AKCheesehead]

That would be great, Brock, I'd be all for that.  I believe we were in 115 field box last game.  I looked back to see how they had the sound rigged and the speakers were spaced all along behind the field level.  We weren't right in front of one or anything and it was still obnoxious.  Still bringing ear plugs next summer to be on the safe side.

[wallus]

I don't think most people have an issue paying more for food at the park if it is good. However getting the quality of food and employees to make that happen seems to be the issue.

[rickh150]

8 minutes ago, wallus said:

I don't think most people have an issue paying more for food at the park if it is good. However getting the quality of food and employees to make that happen seems to be the issue.

It is the price too. I can get good food outside of the stadium for half or a third of the cost.

[Brewcrew82]

These are all steps in the right direction. The overall experience has really fallen off the past few years, largely as a result of COVID but also not entirely.

The reduced concessions prices are the most exciting thing to me. It got to the point where I’d just bring all my food and beverages to the ballpark. $8 for a bottle of water? Absolutely criminal.

Also hopeful about the revamped restaurant. The Restaurant to be Named Later was a disaster and a huge step down from Fridays. A working brewery and restaurant is a perfect idea. Now hopefully they can execute it.

Like you all, I am surprised that they were graded so highly for quality of food. As Wisconsinites, ballpark food is something we should be leading the pack in. Right now, it’s the definition of “meh”. 

[wallus]

6 minutes ago, rickh150 said:

It is the price too. I can get good food outside of the stadium for half or a third of the cost.

Yes but are they any more than other parks in MLB?

[TURBO]

47 minutes ago, wallus said:

I don't think most people have an issue paying more for food at the park if it is good. 

I do, enough is enough of the ridiculous price gauging.  

[TURBO]

Looks like cheaper prices means smaller as well.  Junior Hot Dogs and Junior nachos for $4.   Price may be lower, but it looks like you are going to get a lot less too.

I'm skeptical of the whole thing, we'll see what it's all like in person.

[wallus]

Came across this about food/drink at other MLB stadiums. Might be interesting to some: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/628/beer-hot-dog-and-ticket-prices-at-major-league-baseball-parks.html

[rickh150]

44 minutes ago, wallus said:

Yes but are they any more than other parks in MLB?

I really don’t care where we are ranked in price. That’s not relevant to me forking over cash for ballpark food at crazy costs.

[wallus]

2 minutes ago, rickh150 said:

I really don’t care where we are ranked in price. That’s not relevant to me forking over cash for ballpark food at crazy costs.

Okay well revenue is related to payroll. If you care about how much the team spends on payroll in relation to other teams, you need to care about revenue. 

I do work with food trucks and people were complaining like crazy at their costs in 2022. I don't think people's expectations of food costs have caught up to reality. (although ballpark food is typically much higher than other comparable options) I mean Culvers is comfortably over $10 for a meal now.

[NeedMoreFans]

Look at who we share the "expensive" category with; high cost-of-living places.  It's almost like the team has decided that "Wisconsin is famous for sausage so we can charge a premium price for it."  

[rickh150]

19 minutes ago, wallus said:

Okay well revenue is related to payroll. If you care about how much the team spends on payroll in relation to other teams, you need to care about revenue. 

I do work with food trucks and people were complaining like crazy at their costs in 2022. I don't think people's expectations of food costs have caught up to reality. (although ballpark food is typically much higher than other comparable options) I mean Culvers is comfortably over $10 for a meal now.

“You need?”…. The need to manage the family budget is many times more important to me than how much I “share” in funding the payroll. Not paying for meh food at crazy prices. $8 water?  Not going to buy much, if anything.  
I pay for tickets, parking, and cable to see or support the team.