Even you can be a Padres (partial) season ticket holder

Its that time of year again. Baseball is back. You pull out the schedule, pick your games and get ready for another exciting season at Petco Park, but I have one question for you: why aren't you a partial season ticket holder?

I hope this guy is a season ticket holder.

I have asked myself that question for the last few years as I have trekked down the cluttered 163 and patrolled the streets of downtown to find some free parking over twenty times each season. On each one of these pilgrimages, I forked over a minimum of ten bucks to gain access to the gates of Petco Park. Estimated cost per year easily eclipsed $200. Don't get me wrong, this is quite the bargain to attend a plethora of baseball games, but the hassle of buying tickets day of, waiting in line, and if it is a Giants game...don't get me started.

So, at FanFest I scouted the crowd until I came across Riley Danford, my new Account Executive. I told him straight up I wanted the cheapest 21-game pack the Padres have and he hooked my roommate and I up with the weekend plan for $195/ea or $9.50 a ticket. But enough about my story, I want to tell you the best reasons to get a plan


First, flexibility. With the plan I purchased, I get what is dubbed "the weekend package" or Plan Blue X where I get Monday, Friday and Sunday games throughout the year. The nice thing about this package is though is any weekend game is flexible in which you can move it to any other game you want. For instance, say I have a Sunday game against the Marlins, cash that in and change it to a Saturday game a tickets to a replica jersey night instead. Any good promotional night, any big series, or just a busy schedule, an easy switch can be made right from your computer, no questions asked.

Second, the ability to purchase additional tickets. My roommate and I just have our two, but at game we have in our 21-gamer, we can purchase up to six additional tickets at the cost we pay ($9.50). This includes Opening Day (normally $21.75) and weekend series. Even though it is just us two, we never attend a game with less than 4 people so this is a great way to save everyone money over the course of the year.

Third, you get Opening Night. Pretty self explanatory, and if you want you can also get Opening Day. These tickets are almost sold out. Not for me, I am rolling 10 deep.

Last, they can be upgraded with ease. Say I find lower box seats that I want. Boom. Mine. All I have to do is pay the upgrade fee, which is the price of a season ticket in that section. Also, if I want combine two games worth of tickets, that value can be applied to one ticket.


Padres are nice enough to add tons of perks to their plan to make it easy for people to get out to the ballpark. The price point is there, the flexibility is there, and other perks like promotions make the partial season ticket plans a sweet way for any fan to make 2014 a great season to remember as a Padre fan. And also, you didn't hear it from me, but the Padres just might surprise some teams this year and sneak in as a wild card. Only time will tell, but I will be there, 21 times at least, to enjoy the ride.

For my last point, 21 times you can skip out on listening to these two. Hubba, hubba.

Go Padres!

Hey Padres fans, Go See The Storm instead

The Padres are bad. I cannot say the worst, because well, there is one team that is still currently worse than them, thank goodness. But yes, it is fair to say the wins won't come in bunches this year from what the fans are currently seeing.

This makes me think of other options. As much fun as it is to go to Padres games, it loses a little of the luster of attending when you are going to see their "best" pitchers get raked for 5+ runs a start and their "starters" (*coughVolquezcough*) continuously strike out with the bases loaded.

These are your "#1" and "#2"

So, I thought, and I came to the conclusion: Why not go see Lake Elsinore play? I mean, it still is professional baseball, right? Why not give the minor leagues more of a chance. The more I thought, the more it made sense.

Talent
First, the Storm have brought several players up to the Padres organization over the years. Checking out their notable alumni, they actually have seen several Padres  come up, such as Chase Headley, Kyle Blanks, Nick Hundley and the great Jake Peavy. Some of the players you will see will make it to the big leagues, and with the Padres playing the way they are, it might be sooner than later. And hey, the other teams who actually develop their minor league players play as well. Could see Mike Trout before he is MIKE TROUT.

Cost
Also thinking about my wallet, it would be cheaper to go see a Storm game instead. Looking at the Storm ticketing system, the most expensive ticket you will buy is $15, and that will land you right behind home plate. Coming from someone who is a die hard baseball fan in general, sitting in awesome seats at a professional game for cheap is right up my alley. Seeing how Padres tickets behind home plate can run you $80 or more just to sit close to another strike out, do you really want to put that much money into a losing product?  Also, to go along this, for our military members, you can get 4 reserved tickets or free on Monday with valid military ID. Who says only the big club supports our men in uniform?

Promotions
When it comes to the perks of seeing a baseball game, the Storm have promotions that kick the big league clubs booties all over the park. Every week, they have weekly promotions that go on the entire season:

Margarita Mondays: $2 margaritas and military get 4 free reserved tickets with military ID
2-riffic Tuesdays: 2 for 1 tickets and $2 specials around the stadium
Wacky Weenie Wednesday/Wine Down Wednesday: My personal favorite of unlimited FREE hot dogs around the stadium and also wine tasting specials until the 7th. Who needs all you can eat seats at Petco when you have this option?
Thirsty Thursday: $1 Beer and Soda all game long. Basically, get drunk cheap.
Fireworks Friday: Fireworks at game. I mean, fireworks are fun wherever you see them, right?
Social Media Saturday: Follow them on FB/Twitter and get deals and oh yeah, FREE HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH DRESSING
Sunday Funday: Kids announce the game, help with grounds crew and run the bases. If you have kids, this could be a great opportunity to make their almost-big-league-dreams come true.

Besides the weekly stuff, throw in  Star Wars night on May 11th,  Fleece Blanket giveaway May 25th, SUPERHERO NIGHT June 29th and Chase Headley Jersey Giveaway July 27th and you hav have a better lineup than the Padres do already.

Star Wars Night: We are all winners/

Promotions. Good stuff.

Location
Well, I will admit it is not the most ideal for all of those South County folks, but for all of the North County livin's, Lake Elsinore isn't too far up the 15 to say that you can't go. A quick 45 minute drive for $1 beer, if I do my math correctly, would be 8 beers for every 1 at Petco. You are actually saving money this way.

Same Result
Ok, so the Storm are currently 5-13 as I right that, and thats perfectly fine with me. If you follow the Storm, it will just prepare you for what to expect when you watch the Padres. Basically, this minor league team prepares you for the show as a fan the same way as it does for the players. And at the end of the day, who cares who wins or loses at this park, we are just here to see baseball at this point.

Charlie Brown recently was named to the Padres starting rotation

So, I urge you all to try out some Lake Elsinore Storm games this 2013 year. I know I will.