I have been killing the Orioles for much of the summer for a failure to do anything innovative to capitalize on the team's unexpected success to try to lure more fans to Camden Yards. If I wrote for The Baltimore Sun, this is where I would say, "Following Baltimore Sun reporting about the Orioles' challenges with attendance this year, the Orioles have..." But I don't write for that newspaper, so I don't have to act like I had anything to do with it.
Whatever the reason, it seems the Orioles decided to get a little bold. Check this out:
ORIOLES ENCOURAGE FANS TO "BUCKLE UP!" FOR SEPTEMBER,
OFFER THROWBACK TICKET PRICING FOR TAMPA BAY SERIES
The Orioles today announced a new ticket promotion to celebrate the team’s push for the postseason in this 20th Anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In an effort to encourage fans to "BUCKle Up!" and Back the Birds, the team will offer 1992 throwback pricing for select locations during the Orioles’ series against the Tampa Bay Rays September 11-13.
For all three games of the series, while supplies last, Eutaw Street Bleacher seats are $4.00 (regularly $19) and all Left Field Lower Box seats are just $8.00 (regularly $32). Fans can take advantage of this 75% discount online at www.orioles.com/buckleup or by stopping by the Oriole Park Box Office.
Fans who already purchased regularly priced seats in the Eutaw Street Bleachers or Left Field Lower Box will receive a refund for the difference in ticket value. A refund check will be automatically issued, and fans should allow up to four weeks for processing and delivery.
"We are looking forward to a September to remember and encourage all Orioles fans to ‘BUCKle Up!’ and support the club," said Orioles Director of Communications, GREG BADER. "Orioles ticket prices are already the most affordable of any professional sports team in the region, and we hope this extra incentive will allow even more fans the opportunity to demonstrate that they ‘Back the Birds.’"
Orioles fans are encouraged to utilize the hashtag #BUCKleUp throughout the remainder of the season to promote the Orioles’ push for the postseason.
Sure, "BUCKle up!" is a pretty stupid slogan, but you can't win 'em all, eh? 75% off a significant chunk of the stadium makes up for a lot of that. Here is the first sign we've seen from the O's marketing people all year that getting fans in the seats matters to them. I hope fans respond to the promotion and that this encourages the O's to do more things like this in the future.