bani1717

billyhallfan.... Just out of curiosity, where exactly do you go in the airport to get these guys' autographs as they arrive/leave? I don't think I'm going to try tomorrow, I'm just wondering for future reference if the opportunity ever presents itself again. Also, does anyone have any info at all on what hotel the team might stay at when they play the Cubs in Chicago? I have an internship in Chicago over the summer and will undoubtedly be there to see the Brewers dominate the Cubs at Wrigley over the 4th of July weekend. I have heard that it is fairly easy to get autographs of players as they head in to Wrigley (if I remember correctly they enter off of Addison Avenue... though I've never been to Wrigley and am just going based on what I remember hearing from someone....). However, if anyone can tell me anything on where the Brewers or MLB teams in general usually stay when playing the Cubs, I'd appreciate it, just to have that as an option too if I'm feeling ambitious.

My brother has a fan's choice 20-pack that he ordered new this year. He mentioned that he was able to buy extra tickets for any of the remaining 80 games, but he said there was nothing on his letter saying anything about Opening Day tickets. Does anyone know if new purchases will get the opportunity to purchase extra Opening Day tickets?

I think the Brewers will be completely out of Opening Day tickets by the Arctic Tailgate. My brother, for his 20-pack he got new this year, said he got a letter saying that he could buy extra tickets to any game EXCEPT Opening Day. And, in another thread in the Major League forum, someone said that according to their ticket rep, there are only a few terrace tickets left and then all the SRO tickets. I would expect if there are any SRO tickets left, they will be sold through a lottery or to full-season ticket holders first. If I still wanted Opening Day tickets, I'd do one of these things: 1) Buy the Weekend Plan 9-pack (as mentioned by mtrebs), if you need multiple tickets and think you'll attend a few more games. 10 games, including Opening Day and 2 more Cubs games, all for $126 if you go with the terrace plan. 2) Wait and buy tickets on ebay. Wait until right before the game. Tickets (almost) always come down in price. The rationale is that people who really want their tickets buy them early to make sure they have them, and they are willing to overpay the high prices that people try charging. As the game gets closer and fans/scalpers need to get rid of their tickets, tickets will come down in price. If the uncertainty isn't going to kill you, and you want to try to get tickets for as cheap as possible, wait until gameday and buy from the scalpers. Last year the good seats were going for face value ($60-$80 each) and SRO were going for $30 each when I walked by a half hour before the game. If you really want the tickets in hand though and don't want to mess around or take any chances, buy early off of Stubhub. You will pay plenty more, but you will get the tickets you want. 3) If singles aren't an issue for you, wait until right before the game. In 2008, the Brewers released all of their inventory that was previously reserved for season ticket subscribers, in addition to all available singles, the day before the game. Of course, the server was EXTREMELY busy. In any case, I managed to get a couple club level singles for a friend who really wanted the tickets. (And, if singles are available when the Arctic Tailgate rolls around, they may even sell them there.) Sorry for such a long post but I hope at least the smallest bit was somewhat helpful http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Wow.... if the ticket rep isn't exaggerating in hopes of getting extra sales out of fans desperate for Opening Day tickets, the Brewers really are selling tickets like nuts

If season ticket sales are up and walk-up sales are down this year (which I don't think will be the case, but this is just a hypothetical), the Brewers will make less money because of the discounts season ticket-holders get. The difference is usually only a couple bucks per ticket, but it is more for marquee games and good seats. If attendance stays around 3 million, with say 1.5 million season tickets as opposed to 1 million season tickets, the Brewers actually would make a couple million dollars less than if those .5 million tickets were walk-up sales/single game purchases.

Anyone know if this clip might be available anywhere? I'm guessing this is from game 4 of that series we swept in St. Louis. If it is, I missed Anderson's commentary in my excitement and would love to see/hear it again if anyone knows if it's anywhere online.

I got Fielder's auto at least 5 times this year when stretching right before games. I was at at least one other game where he signed during BP. I literally remember times where he came out to stretch and signed for about 5 minutes then stretched for about 2 minutes. One time I even remember him signing, then stretching, then signing some more. The only down side is that, technically speaking, the ushers won't let you down by where the players come out to stretch right before the game, unless you have tickets in that area. So besides having good tickets down there or managing to somehow sneak down, that leaves once I saw him sign during BP where anyone could get him. Even still, he did sign a lot this year from my experiences. On top of this, back in 2007 I was at his signing with JJ at the Medical College of Wisconsin. As I was walking out to my car, he was leaving through the back of the building. There was a lady worker walking him to his car who told a small group of about 5 people that he wouldn't sign. Prince, however, stopped and said he was signing. To say Fielder is a baby for not showing up to On Deck/Block party last year may have some merit, but he certainly is not a guy who avoids signing at all costs.

Back at On Deck last March, the man collecting autograph tickets was publicly announcing that Braun would not sign the sweet spot and would not add inscriptions.

No way Braun will sign sweet spot, seeing as he isn't making money off of this. And, it isn't sponsores by Mikita, so I don't think he contractually can sign sweet spot even if he wants to. (Although, at a block party back in 2007, I watched him quietly "bend the rules" for a little old lady....)

I was lucky enough to get Yount's autograph in 2006 at a game. It was the first Sunday game of the year. My brother and I got there very early and immediately bolted for the Brewers' dugout when the doors opened at 11:30. We got in just as the Brewers were heading to the clubhouse after BP. A lday who must have gotten in early by knowing someone was already down next to the Brewers' dugout. She got Robin's attention and got him to sign something. I had him sign a County Stadium baseball. After that, he signed something else for the lady and then was gone. (Unfortunaterly for my brother, he saw Corey Koskie first and went over to get his autograph....) So, I don't think it's so much signing for adults that bothers Yount, it's signing for big crowds of adults, some of whom are probably collectors and are just in it for the money.

If you're into sports and think you know the rules for the most part, maybe try reffing something. I am a WIAA licensed basketball official and started as just a sophomore in high school. Pay is great for a part-time job, and you can pretty much set your own schedule. And it's all evenings/weekends. When starting up, though, it does take some guts. Also, you have to get to know people who can give you games to work too. But if you start out doing real low-level games and just do a good job, you can work your way up and gradually get to know those people. wiaawi.org would have more info I believe, if you're interested.

I'm guessing we would, but we'd still get the alternate broadcast (if applicable) in the Milwaukee market right? Just like regional NFL broadcasts each Sunday?

you may wanna just show up on game day and buy tickets outside the door from a scalper... they will likely be very cheap (ie, likely no more than $15-$20 each for good opponents for lower level seats behind the basket)

How long after tip-off did you have to wait to do this? As for the initial question, there are always a lot of scalpers outside the Kohl Center. If the Badgers pull it together and are in the hunt for a Big Ten title, tickets won't be cheap. If they struggle through their Big Ten schedule, tickets will obviously be much cheaper. In any case, one thing to consider is looking on ebay, or waiting till you meet scalpers on game day, to buy single student tickets in the 3rd level. They would be cheap, and you would likely be able to sit together anyways (since a fair share of student tickets up high are no-shows or sit somewhere else). And, the student section doesn't stand for every game up there. If you were looking for 4 tickets as opposed to 2, this wouldn't work as well though. (If you're looking for 4, you may have to split up anyways into 2 and 2 if you buy from a scalper)...

They also have the blue Octoberfest shirts for $5 (don't know what sizes) on a rack over in the back left corner of the store as you walk in. On that same rack, there are a TON of CC Sabathia shirts for $5 each in pretty much every size.

I went back today since my brother wanted to stop by and we had to drive right past the stadium anyways. I saw that t-shirts were only $5 compared to the $10 I paid yesterday. I commented on it, and a worker heard me and said, "Yeah, we marked them down today." I then said, "Hmm, I wonder if they will be only $3 tomorrow." And the worker said they may only be a dollar, because they have absolutely a TON of them that they need to get rid of. There weren't too many hats left (priced at $5), but whatever is left will undoubtedly be a good deal tomorrow, especially the playoff t-shirts.

I got there at 6:35 tonight and got everything I wanted (well, that I reasonably expected to get at a clubhouse sale for super discounted prices). I got two wildcard t-shirts (one gray, one the gold Octoberfest Variety), a NLDS program, and a navy blue adjustable cap all for $27. No lines either. Got right in, and had to wait 2 minutes to check out right at 7.

I meant to post this today but never had the time to. Ron Dayne was signing autographs tonight at the UW Bookstore at Hilldale Mall. I was maybe 100 back in line and it took about an hour to get through. It took so long because they allowed two autographs per person and allowed personal pictures. I got a ticket stub from his record-breaking game signed for myself and got a Badger football signed for a friend. After being used to Brewers' signings, it is pretty refreshing to be in a scenario where you don't have to arrive hours early and then sprint to the right line just give yourself a chance at an autograph you want. Granted, these are college guys we are talking about as opposed to pros, but even still it is a lot more laid-back. To illustrate, after the Badger Basketball Team's Night of the Grateful Red (their first practice) this year, I got a poster signed by THE ENTIRE TEAM within an hour. They had tables set up in the concourse with 2-4 players/coaches at a table. I had to rush a little at the end but had no real problems getting everyone.

If anyone thinks the money will eliminate the lines, I think they're wrong. For some of the players (Braun and Fielder especially, plus Sabathia if he is by some chance under contract at that time), paying $25 is a real bargain compared to what professional memorabilia/autograph retailers charge for their signings. I'm not saying that it's anywhere near worth it for me, since I have pretty good luck on my own, but there will still be quite a few people in line early for tickets for the big-name players I'm sure.

I took the Long Wong's shuttle once last year (leaving the game to get back to my car, not on the way to the game) and just tipped the guy $2 on my way out. No questions asked.

(Cubs fans that MP ushers and personnel tend to side with more than Brewers fans from what I've seen and heard.) This is only a single example, but I know an usher who worked in 406 for the Tuesday night Cubs game back in July. He told me that since no cops were around, he himself had to throw out 13 people, almost all of whom were Cubs fans. There are a fair share of Cubs fans that get thrown out every game - and I'm guessing it's a lot more than the number of Brewers fans that are thrown out at those games. And if the ushers do side with Cubs fans more, try thinking of what it's like from their perspective. I'm sure they don't want to have a stadium packed full of obnoxious Cubs fans any more than you do. But there is that fine line between cracking down on stuff and looking for stuff to throw fans (particularly Cubs fans) out for. I'm guessing more often than not they err on the side of caution.

One thing that kind of disappoints me is that they aren't offering the Terrace Ticket Treat discount for terrace level full-season tickets to new STH's. I called today and asked about it and they told me that only renewals would get the Buy-2-Get-2-Free Rate. I don't have too much to complain about because I have a buddy who has this plan who I bought 2 tickets for a majority of the season from last year. But, it would have been nice to be able to get my own set of 4 tickets, keep 2 for the full season for myself and my brother, and then have a couple friends buy in for the other 2 seats. Like I said, though, I will at least be able to buy into my buddy's plan, and possibly get 2 full season tickets if the other guy who buys into the plan decides not to renew. I guess I ought to be thankful for what I do have - a chance to buy into a plan with a guy renewing his discounted tickets.

Today I got to the game early and saw the Phillies taking batting practice. During that time, I was down in the first level in the first few rows by the Phillies dugout. Geoff Jenkins signed a few autographs, and as he was signing, he mentioned how loud the crowd was last night.

I know I will never, ever forget last night's game. The pre-game, the game itself, and the post-game were all amazing.

Patrick, I agree that the game today was not nearly as loud as it was yesterday. But I did think it was pretty loud in there right as the game started. Those thunder sticks made it pretty loud. After that Rollins homer, it got really quiet, and the 3-run shot pretty much silenced the crowd for much of the rest of the game. As far as people coming in later today than yesterday, that is going to happen when the game is at noon on a Sunday as opposed to 5:30 on a Saturday. People came out and made a whole afternoon out of it yesterday. Today, some people went to church before the game, others slept in, and a lot fewer people tailgated. Plus there just wasn't all that "first playoff game in 26 years" hype. (To illustrate my point, one guy was selling terrace tickets in the resale zone over 2 hours before the game for below face value. People just weren't as determined to come to this game.) But I think that once everyone was in there, it was pretty loud to start the game, and then got quiet when the game began slipping away.