Fan Value Index 2006

[ColtscorrAL]

Last year SI.com writers analyzed each major league ballpark from a fan's vantage point in order to determine which venues offered the best value and experience. But this time around we went to the best source: the fans. In a survey on SI.com we asked readers to rank their hometown parks on a variety of criteria, from parking prices to the availability of restrooms to the quality of concessions. We also asked for opinions on what makes the park special -- or disappointing. More than 8,500 responded.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/09/11/fvi.summary/index.html

[Williamsburg2599]

I don't care what the fans say about my Fenway, It's still the best.

[RuthMayBond]

I don't care what the fans say about my Fenway, It's still the best.The best at taking your money ;)

[Williamsburg2599]

The best at taking your money ;)
Eh, let them have it. Maybe they can put up a decent team next year:).

[Elvis]

Sorry, but I don't put much value in a rating that has Tropicana Stadium as better than Chavez Ravine. :noidea

[Mookie Wilson]

Having seen countless games at Shea Stadium (#29) and one game at Fenway (#28), I find it hard to believe that Fenway is just slightly better than Shea. Shea is an oversized toilet bowl. It was built in the 1960's, when the entire design concept was to cram as many fans as possible into the ballpark. I love going to Shea because I love the Mets (and because it brings back happy memories from my youth), but on the whole it is a horrible place to watch a game. The sightlines are bad, the constant sound of low-flying airlines soaring overhead is worse. Fenway, on the other hand, is one of those classic old time parks that was designed with baseball in mind. Sure, the seats are a bit too small for our giant 21st century butts, but I really enjoyed watching a game there. How can you not get excited by the fact that you are sitting in the stadium where Ted Williams and Carl Yazstremski once played? I digress. Fenway is a class old-time stadium with beautiful architecture. It is one of a kind.

[RuthMayBond]

Having seen countless games at Shea Stadium (#29) and one game at Fenway (#28), I find it hard to believe that Fenway is just slightly better than Shea. Shea is an oversized toilet bowl. It was built in the 1960's, when the entire design concept was to cram as many fans as possible into the ballpark. I love going to Shea because I love the Mets (and because it brings back happy memories from my youth), but on the whole it is a horrible place to watch a game. The sightlines are bad, the constant sound of low-flying airlines soaring overhead is worse. Fenway, on the other hand, is one of those classic old time parks that was designed with baseball in mind. Sure, the seats are a bit too small for our giant 21st century butts, but I really enjoyed watching a game there. How can you not get excited by the fact that you are sitting in the stadium where Ted Williams and Carl Yazstremski once played? I digress. Fenway is a class old-time stadium with beautiful architecture. It is one of a kind.How about if you guys read and it's talking about the VALUE you get, since the AVERAGE Fenway ticket is $46+

[KCGHOST]

Pretty clear that the cost of attending was a pretty dominating factor in these very "ratings".

[RuthMayBond]

Sorry, but I don't put much value in a rating that has Tropicana Stadium as better than Chavez Ravine. :noideaMaybe they like to actually get into the parking lot early.
Or they don't want to have to go in a certain gate with their ticket.
Or they want to bring a backpack in.
Or they want to be able to actually look around the rest of the park with their bleacher ticket :crazy ;) :rolleyes: :eek: :laugh :lookitup

[Mookie Wilson]

How about if you guys read and it's talking about the VALUE you get, since the AVERAGE Fenway ticket is $46+

I never learned to read. My parents made me tapdance in the subways so that we could afford the ticket prices at Shea.

[EvanAparra]

How about if you guys read and it's talking about the VALUE you get, since the AVERAGE Fenway ticket is $46+

Id rather pay 50 bucks to see a game in Fenway than 15 to see a game in Shea... Shea is the worst ballpark ive ever been to...good riddance to that place!

[RuthMayBond]

I never learned to read. My parents made me tapdance in the subways so that we could afford the ticket prices at Shea.I can only imagine what you had to do to afford the Fenway prices :laugh What exactly do you get with the Pavilion Club seats and first thru third row Green Monster seats? :eek:

[Elvis]

Maybe they like to actually get into the parking lot early.

2 hours is plenty. How early do you expect parking gates to open?

Or they want to bring a backpack in.

I always bring my backpack into Dodger Stadium, everyone can. And you can bring in your own food and Cokes too.

As far as "value", where else in MLB can you get a great seat behind home plate for $3?

[RuthMayBond]

2 hours is plenty. How early do you expect parking gates to open?I didn't think it was 2 hours before, and then you have to park and walk. I will say parking is reasonable, considering they have a monopoly on it.

<I always bring my backpack into Dodger Stadium, everyone can.>

If only you'd been there the day I went, to tell the attendant he was wrong

<As far as "value", where else in MLB can you get a great seat behind home plate for $3?>

That's great if you know the secret handshake but most of us don't

[Elvis]

<I always bring my backpack into Dodger Stadium, everyone can.>

If only you'd been there the day I went, to tell the attendant he was wrong


If any attendant told me I couldn't bring in my backpack he'd hopefully lose his job, and at the least he'd get a BIG and LOUD argument from me, because it's allowed and common practice. Sorry you got screwed like that. The only thing I'm thinking is that it might've been too big--there's a 14" wide limit on bags and backpacks allowed in, and they do measure and search for contriban.

The $3 seats are season tix for the blue seats behind the plate. Gameday price is $6, still the best deal in MLB.

[RuthMayBond]

If any attendant told me I couldn't bring in my backpack he'd hopefully lose his job, and at the least he'd get a BIG and LOUD argument from me, because it's allowed and common practice. Sorry you got screwed like that. The only thing I'm thinking is that it might've been too big--there's a 14" wide limit on bags and backpacks allowed in, and they do measure and search for contriban.They didn't even measure.

<The $3 seats are season tix for the blue seats behind the plate. Gameday price is $6, still the best deal in MLB.>

You forgot to mention they are WAAY behind home plate ;)

[Elvis]

They didn't even measure.

<The $3 seats are season tix for the blue seats behind the plate. Gameday price is $6, still the best deal in MLB.>

You forgot to mention they are WAAY behind home plate ;)

They're actually pretty good seats. Have you ever sat there?

[RuthMayBond]

They're actually pretty good seats. Have you ever sat there?I *could* have checked them out but wasn't allowed to go there (or anywhere else) from my bleacher seats :grouchy

[Elvis]

I *could* have checked them out but wasn't allowed to go there (or anywhere else) from my bleacher seats :grouchy

Actually they do let you check out the top deck. That's where the gift shop is. They let anybody in that gate.


$3 seats at Dodger Stadium:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/Marckymarc71/Dodger20Stadium20from20Top20Behind2.jpg

[RuthMayBond]

Actually they do let you check out the top deck. That's where the gift shop is. They let anybody in that gate.Even after you've gone in another gate?

$3 seats at Dodger Stadium:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/Marckymarc71/Dodger20Stadium20from20Top20Behind2.jpg

Nice shot but that's gotta be up high in the sky

[Elvis]

Even after you've gone in another gate?

Of course

Nice shot but that's gotta be up high in the sky

It's no higher than any other modern stadium's upper deck seats. These same seats in Busch Stadium are about $25 :crazy

[RuthMayBond]

Of courseThat's not what I was told but it's too late anyway

<It's no higher than any other modern stadium's upper deck seats. These same seats in Busch Stadium are about $25 :crazy >

Heck, it's thirteen bucks just to STAND in Busch . . .
. . . unless it's a premium date, then it's only eighteen bucks. And then again, they're probably no further away than Green Monster or Right Field Roof Deck seats at Fenway. Do you actually get postseason rights with $3 seats?

[Elvis]

Do you actually get postseason rights with $3 seats?

Yes, the same as any other location.